MADISON, Wis. -- As the 2007 holiday shopping season begins in full force, officials are reminding shoppers that not only is this time of year tough on wallets and bank accounts, it's also tough on landfills.

The Madison Recycling Department said that that between Thanksgiving and New Year's, Madison landfills acquire 30 percent more trash.

But there are ways to go green while spending the green this holiday season, officials said.

First, consider what you'll carry your purchases in. You may want to follow the advice of George Dreckmann, recycling coordinator for the Madison Recycling Department, who said, "Take along a cloth shopping bag, or a reusable bag. That will really help a lot because a lot of what we end up getting are bags that can't be recycled."

Eco-friendly choices don't stop at the bags gifts are carried in but extend to the wrapping paper the gifts will be disguised in.

"We can recycle a lot of wrapping paper, but we can't recycle the foil-type wrapping paper, the stuff that has that real metallic shine," Dreckmann said.

And don't forget about gift boxes and gift bags. They can be reused, saving money as well as paper.

Finally, gifts themselves can be environmentally friendly: Dreckmann suggests several ideas, such as, "Spa treatments, tickets to sporting events or to the theatre. Those types of things have no waste associated with them."

Well, except maybe the gas consumed in getting to the game or theatre.

Holiday Tips from Madison's Recycle Department:

Look for recyclable cardboard for gift boxes

Ribbon is not recyclable

Shiny, foil-type of wrapping paper is not recyclable

Wrapping Alternatives: comic book paper, decorate brown bags

Send Recycled paper Christmas cards

Tree Recycling Information:

Madison, begins Jan. 7
Place your tree by your garbage cart