December 5, 2000 Media Advisory King County unwraps 'Waste-Free Holidays' to curb paper overflow How can a baby elephant, ballerina, bear or basketball player help reduce the mountains of cardboard boxes, wrapping paper and ribbons expected to pile up in King County transfer stations this holiday season? They can as part of dozens of arts, sports and entertainment organizations like the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Symphony and Key Arena participating in King County's fifth annual Waste-Free Holidays program. The Waste-Free Holidays program pares down the mounds of boxes, paper, Styrofoam peanuts and ribbons and plastic wrap by encouraging gift-givers to provide lasting memories by giving experiences instead of stuff. More than 85 King County arts, sports and entertainment organizations are voicing their support for the environment by offering discounts up to 50 percent on a wide array of fun experiences - from adopting the new baby elephant at the zoo, to memberships to the Pacific Science Center, to a climb up Mt. Rainier. Puget Sound families can show their commitment to reducing holiday waste by mentioning the Waste-Free Holidays program at any participating organization from November 24 through the end of December. As a reward they will receive the discount. Media Event/Photo Opportunity Join King County at the Woodland Park Zoo as it kicks off this program with Grizzly Bears swimming underwater, a Chinese Tiger from the Nutcracker, an actor, puppet and orchestra. When: 10 a.m., Wednesday, December 6th Where: Woodland Park Zoo's Northern Trail exhibit (location). Enter the zoo through the North Gate off N. 59th St. & Phinney Ave. N. Turn left on the main pathway and proceed to Northern Trail's indoor grizzly bear exhibit in the Taiga Viewing Shelter. Americans generate an extra 1 million tons of trash during the holidays. Just in King County, the average family will wrap and give 30 presents this year. Every year, it's estimated that 1 billion dollars worth of gifts are unwanted and ultimately doomed to attics, closets or landfills. If every family in King County used just two feet less of holiday ribbon, the 838,500 feet of ribbon saved could tie a bow around the base of Mt. Rainier. If every family in the US did the same, the 38,000 miles of ribbon could tie a bow around the entire planet. The 2.65 billion holiday cards sold each year in the United States could fill a football field 10 stories high; if each person sent one card less, it would save 50,000 cubic yards of paper. "We are extremely excited to partner with the King County Arts Commission and all of these great organizations to encourage people to give the gift of an experience,"; said Rod Hansen, King County Solid Waste Division Manager. "Not only is it an effective and creative way to conserve resources, but it also provides an excellent opportunity for someone to give a gift the entire family can enjoy."; Call the Waste-Free Holidays hotline at (206) NO-STUFF, or visit www.metrokc.gov, for a complete listing of organizations, events, discounts and box office information. Waste-Free Holidays is presented by King County Solid Waste Division in partnership with the King County Arts Commission, King County Journals, Seattle Weekly, Citysearch.com, Warm 106.9 and 96.5 The Point. On site contact: Molly Brumley, (360) 598-3702. Related Info Waste-free Holidays

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