King County program offers priceless memories during Waste Free Holidays promotion

By giving experiences, you can reduce waste and conserve resources

2005 Archived News

As King County kicks off the 10th year of its nationally-acclaimed Waste Free Holidays Program, county residents have the opportunity to purchase holiday gifts at discounted prices of 15-50 percent. These "experience gifts" include gift certificates and memberships, tickets for concerts, plays, and sporting events, museum visits, restaurant meals, spa treatments and much more.

"With such great discounts, people are saving money and also rewarded for reducing waste and conserving resources," said Tom Watson, King County's Waste Free Holidays Program project manager.

"Giving experiences, rather than merchandise, can be a welcome change for friends and family, and it's better for the environment by reducing waste. With more than 125 participating businesses, people can find gifts for all ages," Watson said.

Here's how the program works: Each participating business offers an experience gift at a discount of 15 percent or more. Purchases at the discounted price can be made from Nov. 17 to Dec. 31, 2005, by contacting the partners directly. Details on all the offers and the participating partners will be posted after Nov. 16 at www.wastefreeholidays.com. Seattle Public Utilities is co-sponsoring the program with King County this year.

The holidays are prime time for consumption. Americans throw away 25 percent more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year's holiday period than any other time of year. The added food waste, shopping bags, packaging, wrapping paper, bows and ribbons adds up to an additional 1 million tons a week to the nation's waste stream.

King County's Waste Free Holidays encourages residents think about the environment while purchasing this holiday season. For more information, please visit www.wastefreeholidays.com, or contact Tom Watson at 206-296-4481 or tom.watson@kingcounty.gov.