Page 21 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2024

COAST NOTE
story by Gulf of Mexico Alliance photos courtesy of Biloxi Shuckers and
Mississippi Aquarium
Choose a “gift of experience” and let your friend or loved one make memories while trying something new. You’ll reduce waste by skipping a physical gift along with the extra packaging. Need inspiration? Here are some ideas:
• Tickets to Mississippi Aquarium with a special “meet a penguin” encounter • Cooking, art, or yoga classes
• An annual State or National Parks pass to enjoy the outdoors all year long
• A local restaurant gift card
• A behind-the-scenes ballpark tour with the Biloxi Shuckers (you can even go on the field!)
• Concert tickets
Get creative with wrapping presents by using a basket or cloth bag. You can even recycle your kids’ art for a fun and unique wrapping paper choice. If you need to buy wrapping paper, choose one without foil, glitter, or plastic. Paper with extra embellishments can’t be recycled.
Hosting a holiday get-together? Reduce your waste by using cloth napkins and tablecloths that can be used over and over again. Pick compostable dinnerware made from paper, bamboo, or similar materials instead of plastic or Styrofoam. And, don’t forget to set up a spot for recycling bottles, cans, and glass.
Recycle your Christmas tree so that it can help the environment. Most
Coast communities have Christmas tree recycling programs during the weeks following Christmas. Recycled Christmas trees can be mulched for gardening, used to rebuild sand dunes, or dropped in the water to create fish habitats. Just remember recycling is for live trees, not artificial ones. Make sure to remove lights, ornaments, tinsel, and other decorations before recycling.
With these simple choices, you can have a festive season that’s a little easier on you and the environment. Happy holidays from the Gulf of Mexico Alliance!
@gulfofmexicoalliance
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
December 2024 | 21