Across the United States, enough ribbon is thrown away to tie a bow around the entire planet.
If all the holiday greeting cards were collected, they’d fill a football field 10 stories high.

And more than a million tons of additional waste is generated each week from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day.

The California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery can’t reduce all of that, but the agency has been providing suggestions to reduce waste this season, starting with carrying reusable shopping bags and participating in such tree recycling programs as the one organized by Benicia’s Boy Scout troops.

Some received new electronic devices this year, such as computers, monitors, televisions and device accessories — which means some old devices no longer will be wanted.

But it’s illegal in California to toss them in the garbage.

According to CalRecycle, functioning electronics can be sold or donated, giving them the opportunity to continue being useful. Those that don’t work can be recycled through qualified organizations and companies.

Some of those devices may have personal or sensitive information that may need removal by professionals, such as at software stores, before they are sold or recycled.

Pacific Rim Recycling, 3590 Sprig Drive, complies with the electronics recovery and recycling program established by California’s Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003. Those interested may call the company at 707-746-6067.

In Vallejo, Alco Iron and Metal Company, 321 Azuar Ave., is another company authorized under the 2003 act.

Some presents residents received this year require batteries, and CalRecycle is recommending the use of rechargeable batteries in their operation.

Those who received conventional greeting cards instead of electronic ones can donate them to nursery or day care centers for arts and crafts projects.

Or they can use them for their own repurposing projects, such as cutting them up for use as gift tags, bookmarks or next year’s Christmas decorations.

Residents can make room for gifts by donating outgrown clothes and toys to thrift and consignment stores.

Old, broken holiday light strings can be recycled at participating Ace Hardware stores, including Pedrotti Ace Hardware, through Lights for Life, a Florida-based organization that recycles them and donates proceeds to families of children with cancer.

Pedrotti Ace Hardware, 830 Southampton Road, in Southampton Shopping Center, has a bin at the front of the store where people can place old lights.

CalRecycle said those shopping for new lights should consider light-emitting-diode (LED) bulbs instead of incandescent lights.

According to Consumer Reports, the independent testing agency cited by CalRecycle, LED lights are cooler, reducing the risk of tree fires, and they use much less power and last longer.

Did friends and relatives pack their gift shipments full of foam peanuts? Those packing materials can be recycled, too.

In Solano County, Package 2 Post, 3336 North Texas St., Suite J., Fairfield, is accepting foam peanuts.

In Martinez, Pak Mail, 821 Escobar St., and the UPS Store, 1155-C Arnold Drive, also are accepting foam peanuts.