METRO Vancouver gets the same thing for Christmas every year - a lot more garbage.
Wrapping paper as well as old toys, furniture and electronics that have all been replaced find their way into landfills in increasing numbers for the two weeks following Dec. 25 every year.
But this year, and for the last four years, they're asking for something different with the Create Memories, Not Garbage campaign.
The organization is calling on residents to lower their garbage output over the holidays while giving presents that don't end up in the trash.
"Christmas time is a great opportunity because we give away a lot of things, a lot of wrapping and that. We're trying to have a good time but be sustainable while doing it," said North Vancouver mayor Darrell Mussatto, a member of the solid waste committee at Metro Vancouver
The campaign doesn't suggest not getting a present, but thinking of long-term ideas or ideas that don't carry any waste.
Suggestions include tickets to the opera (Bravissimo! shouts the posters), bungee jumping or other entertainment events (square dancing, anyone?). Snowboards, framed photos or other gifts likely to last a long time are also suggested, said Mussatto.
As well, he said a single high-quality gift is better than several smaller, cheaper gifts.
"People are going to buy things; I'm not saying don't buy things but be thoughtful in what you buy," Mussatto said. All his gifts will be wrapped in newspaper, he said, as another suggestion to cut down on waste.
On the website, www. metro vancouver.org/Christmas, readers can suggest their own ideas. Donna, a grandmother, wrote that her grandchildren will each get gift certificates for North Van Rec. There's also a Twitter feed, and those who jump on board are heralded as green angels.
It's hard to estimate how much of an effect the campaign has had on garbage delivery since it launched four years ago, said Dennis Ranahan, deputy manager of solid waste for Metro Vancouver. That's because the timing happened to coincide with a recession, when holiday budgets were naturally strained.
"What we've seen over time since 2008 there's been a huge decline in the economy, dramatic reduction in waste generation," said Ranahan, noting the positive, however he said it will be a number of years before they know whether the lower waste trend is long-term.
In the meantime, he said this is their biggest campaign yet, and they're hoping to reach more people every year.
