Most people dream of a white Christmas, but they can also enjoy a green holiday season.

Americans throw away 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year's, which amounts to about 1.2 million extra tons per week.

This annual waste can easily can reduced by taking a few simple steps, offered by Waste Management of Tennessee.

-Create a compost pile of organic leftovers from holiday meal preparations. Great items for composting include potato peels, fruit rinds, coffee grinds, other vegetable waste and eggshells.

-Recycle any fresh trees, garlands and wreaths when the holidays are over. Check with your municipal office about tree collection schedules. If you live in a rural area, trees can be placed in an out-of-the way spot and will create a habitat for wildlife.

-If you are running out storage space for holiday decorations, clean out the attic or basement. Instead of throwing away items, donate them to an organization such as the Salvation Army.

-Visit www.thinkgreenfromhome.com to purchase recycling kits and gift cards for your recycling friends.

-Many products made from recycled or organic content make great gifts. Look for bags or fleece clothing made from recycled plastic bottles or organic cotton T-shirts or other apparel. Many online and catalog retailers sell these types of products. Whatever you give, be sure to buy durable, reusable products that will last a long time.

-For the trendsetter on your shopping list, purchase vintage clothing or accessories from consignment or second-hand stores.

-Give potted plants, flowers or trees that the recipient can plant in the garden or yard.

-Thousands of paper and plastic shopping bags end up in landfills every year. Reduce the number of bags thrown out by bringing reusable cloth bags for holiday gift shopping. Tell store clerks you don't need a bag for small or oversized purchases.

-When packaging gifts, consider reduced or no-waste wrapping options. Put reusable bows on gifts; place presents in reusable bags such as backpacks or purses; package small, themed gifts in larger items, such as plates in a tablecloth or kitchen utensils in a decorative dishtowel. Also, you can use last year's wrapping as packaging material.

-Make your own wrapping paper by using old maps, posters or pages from newspapers or magazines. Recycled-content wrapping paper is also available. Save bags and bows to reuse and be sure to recycle the newspapers or brown paper shopping bags after the gift is opened, or use it for padding when shipping gifts.

-If you are bringing a dish to a dinner or party, be sure to package it in a reusable container. If the item is a gift, place it on a decorative holiday plate, in a washable kitchen container or wrap it with a holiday towel.

-Use e-mail for your holiday greetings. It's a great way to share photos and keep in touch more frequently. Plus, it saves paper and postage. If you send cards, make them with last year's cards or wrapping paper.

-When entertaining, use washable utensils, plates, glasses, napkins and table coverings. Decorate with potted plants (that your guests may take home and plant) or candles. Be sure to have containers available where your guests can put recyclable cans and bottles. If you have leftover food, send it home with your guests in reusable containers or donate it to a local homeless shelter or soup kitchen.

-Consider giving no-waste gifts, such as music or sports lessons, memberships to a gym, the philharmonic or a museum, or favors like babysitting or tickets to a sporting event or concert. Find out the gift recipient's favorite charity and make a donation in his or her honor, or commit to volunteering with that organization.