Celebrate the gift of clean waterways this holiday season

As we prepare for holiday activities, now is a great time to protect and celebrate OC’s water resources! Here are a few simple ideas for keeping holiday traditions and our waterways merry and bright.

How does runoff pollution affect our waterways?
It’s important to protect our storm drain system all throughout the year. Rain and outdoor water use can wash pollutants from our homes and yards into our storm drain system through runoff. Unlike our sanitary sewer system, water that enters storm drains is not treated or cleaned. Preventing pollutants from entering our storm drains through runoff is the best way to protect the quality of our waterways, so we can enjoy our water resources and beautiful beaches this and every season.

Tip #1: Leave no traces in outdoor spaces

Whether your holiday plans involve outdoor family time or enjoying festive lights from your car, these tips can help you make the best of the season while keeping our waterways healthy:

• Trash and Pet Waste – Many holiday gatherings will take place outdoors this year. But if trash or pet waste enter our waterways, they can create water flow problems and contaminate aquatic habitats. While you are out and about soaking in the holiday scenery, make sure to properly dispose of trash and pet waste in a covered trash bin with a secure lid.

• Automobile Fluids and Cleaning Detergents – There are many opportunities for drive-in and drive-through holiday activities, so it’s a good idea to keep your vehicle clean and in working order. If engine oil or phosphorous from detergents enter our waterways, aquatic animals and plants can be negatively affected. Check for and repair leaks and clean up spills immediately using absorbents (like kitty litter). Take your vehicle to a commercial car wash where wash water is captured and treated at a local wastewater treatment plant. Alternatively, wash your car over permeable surfaces like your lawn to help water infiltrate instead of running off your property. For additional information on maintaining your vehicle to prevent water pollution, check out our Car Maintenance page.

Tip #2: Holiday mealtime is a great time for pollution prevention

The holidays wouldn’t be the same without our favorite traditional meals! Follow these tips to protect our waterways by properly disposing of foodware and food waste:

• Foodware – If you plan to dine alfresco this season, be aware that disposable and single-use cookware, dishes, cutlery, water bottles, and storage containers can easily blow away. If not disposed properly, they can enter our waterways and negatively impact recreation, marine life, and even human health. Keep a covered trash bin or bag close by to properly dispose of items. Place small rocks or paperweights on stacks of napkins or other light items so they do not blow away. To learn more about holiday and everyday recycling, see OC’s Recycling Guide or go to CalRecycle.gov.

• Food Waste – Prevent food from going to waste through meal planning, reducing meal portions where possible, and storing leftovers in reusable storage containers. This will help to prevent excess waste from entering our landfills and ensure it doesn’t reach our waterways. Composting appropriate food waste helps protect our waterways and can also provide your garden with nutrients. To learn more about composting, check out the Composting for Beginner’s: Reduce Food Waste at Home blog and other informative resources on the OC Waste & Recycling compost awareness

Tip #3: Recycling and Reusing: The gift to our waterways that keeps on giving

Your actions to reduce and properly dispose waste this holiday season can help our waterways both today and tomorrow!

• Recycling Dos and Don’ts
  Many holiday items are lightweight and can easily blow into our storm drains if not disposed of properly in a covered bin. The following is a quick guide, but always check with your local trash hauler for the most up-to-date information.
  • Do Recycle in Your Covered Curbside Bin:
    • Cardboard
    • Paper boxes (gift, shoe and shipping)
    • Wrapping paper (non-metallic)
    • Holiday cards and envelopes (without embellishments)
    • Gift bags (paper)
  • Don’t Recycle – Reuse or Dispose:
    • Bubble wrap (consider reusing or return to the grocery store for recycling)
    • Embellished or metallic wrapping paper (consider reusing)
    • Tissue paper (consider reusing)
    • Ribbon and bows (consider reusing)
    • Sticky gift labels
    • Gift bags (if coated, laminated, dyed)
    • Foam packing peanuts
    • Cellophane
• Items Requiring Special Handling:
  • Christmas Trees – OC Residents can recycle their live tree instead of sending it to the landfill through their local trash haulers’ curbside Christmas tree recycling program, or by taking it to a local drop-off site. Artificial trees can be placed directly in curbside trash bins. Contact your local trash hauler to learn more or search earth911’s interactive site by typing in ‘Christmas trees’ and your zip code. Don’t forget to sweep up any holiday remnants or trim left behind to prevent it from being washed into our storm drains. Properly dispose of any leftover debris in your curbside trash bin and secure all lids.
  • Electronics – including holiday lights, holiday inflatables, old gadgets, batteries, and other e-waste may contain hazardous components that can be harmful if not disposed of properly. Electronics and e-waste can be disposed of at four HHW collection centers in OC. Christmas string lights can also be recycled through various mail-in programs – search earth911’s interactive site by typing in ‘Christmas lights’ and your zip code.

For additional holiday recycling tips, check out this new video by Republic Services, one of our local trash haulers.

Happy Holidays OC! Thank you for preserving our water quality so we may all enjoy our beautiful water resources for future holiday seasons and generations to come. For more simple ways to reduce runoff pollution throughout the year, check out our Homeowners Guide for Sustainable Water Use and Pollution Prevention for Residents page.