Air Quality Management District Asks South San Francisco Residents Not to Burn Gift Wrap This Holiday Season

The following Information was submitted by Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District:

Burning wrapping paper on Christmas morning isn’t just illegal, it’s unhealthy. That’s why the Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District have
joined forces in an effort to reduce the impact to air and water quality.

Toxic smoke and fumes are released when paper and ribbons are burned, polluting our air and water. This year, cross fancy wrapping paper off your shopping list to help protect air around our homes and aquatic life in our streams and waterways. Save money, reduce waste and improve your environment by using creative and fun gift wrap alternatives.

When burned, wrapping paper produces smoke and fumes, which pollute the environment is unhealthy for you, your family and neighbors to breathe. According to the U.S. EPA, “Research estimates 70 percent of smoke from chimneys can actually reenter your home and your neighbor’s home.” This smoke is toxic and may even contain heavy metals.

“It may seem innocuous, but holiday gift wrap can create serious environmental and health impacts when burned,” says Geoff Brosseau, executive director of BASMAA. “One of the worst culprits is foil-based wrapping paper because it can’t be recycled. Its smoke contains dioxin and metals that are toxic, go up in the air and then fall on the ground and wash into the waterway as soot.”

• Gift cards: the ultimate gift to ensure the recipient gets what they want while reducing trash and waste.
• Reusable gift bags: save bags you’ve received and pass them along to someone new.
• Reusable boxes: decorated gift boxes are perfect for using over and over.
• Holiday tins: fill with festive holiday treats.
• Old maps: use an old map and string to create an interesting package and discussion.
• Cloth napkins or scarves: place your gift in a holiday scarf or napkin and use a bow to hold it together.
• Baskets: place your gift in a basket and decorate with fabric ribbon.
• Sunday comics: colorful and can be recycled with the rest of your newspaper.
  To learn more visit BayWise.org and SpareTheAir.org

Photo via Morguefile.