County Launches Campaign to Encourage Green Gift-Giving this Holiday Season

The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) launched a campaign Friday called “Gift Outside the Box” to motivate sustainable gift-giving this holiday season. 

The campaign kickoff took place at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Rockville. 

Montgomery County launched a campaign today called 'Gift Outside the Box,' to encourage green-gift-giving this holiday season.

Also, today is America Recycles Day. pic.twitter.com/wROggmqBk0

— Maryam Shahzad (@maryam_mcm) November 15, 2019

The campaign centers on five ideas for greener gifts: 

1. Buy local
2. Gift experiences, not items
3. Gift “green” items like reusable water bottles
4. Give back by gifting to a charity
5. Buy gifts made from recycled/reused materials and reduce gift wrapping 

“One of the most important things to bear in mind, and we talk about this a lot in the department, is that everybody can do something to make a difference,” DEP Director Adam Ortiz said. 

“Every behavior, large or small, can have a positive impact, not just on the environment but also in social relations and how we relate to each other in this society.” 

"Every behavior, large or small, can have a positive impact, not just on the environment but also in social relations and how we relate to each other in this society,” said Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Director @ortizadam. pic.twitter.com/7TjY1dkwz5

— Maryam Shahzad (@maryam_mcm) November 15, 2019

Eileen Kao, also with the DEP, offered ideas to county residents who want to be environmentally conscious. 

“Also, think about the gifts you’re selecting for folks … buy local whenever possible, but also maybe think about gifts that don’t create any additional waste,” Kao said. 

She even suggested that people offer themselves as a gift.

“For example, maybe you’ve got relatives who have small children and they really want to go away for the weekend. Maybe you could give them, of yourself, an offer to babysit for the weekend,” Kao said. 

“And there are some easy things that we can all do. For example, bring your reusable bags with you when you go holiday shopping," said Eileen Kao, also with the county DEP. pic.twitter.com/SmOYCSq5Au

— Maryam Shahzad (@maryam_mcm) November 15, 2019

The kickoff was held on the same day as America Recycles Day.

About Maryam Shahzad

Maryam is a reporter with Montgomery Community Media. She graduated from the University of Maryland in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism. Previously, she was an intern with MCM. She can be reached at mshahzad@mymcmedia.org or on Twitter @maryam_mcm.

View all posts by Maryam Shahzad