Minimize the hassle (and your credit card bills) by planning a staycation instead. Stuck for ideas? Check out Earth911′s handy guide to planning the perfect Valentine’s Day staycation and start saving on cash (without skimping on the holiday fun).

Staycation Tip: Stave off cabin fever on your staycation by spending some time in the great outdoors. Enjoy a picnic in the park, bike an uncharted path or take a walk through a local pop-up park or community garden. Photo: Stock Photo

1. Plan ahead

The best way to plan a satisfying staycation is to duplicate your dream getaway at home. Sit down and think about your ideal Valentine’s Day plans and figure out a way to create alternatives on the cheap.

If you can’t quite afford a five-course meal at the Chateau Marmont, check out our recipe library and prepare a tasty dinner right in your own kitchen. If your Valentine’s Day fantasy involves a pricey spa, try one of our DIY pampering treatments to escape into at-home bliss.

Once you have your plans in line, clear your work schedule, find a sitter for the kids and take a moment to truly enjoy your home with your partner. Turn off the cell phones and don’t check your email for the duration of your at-home vacation to make you feel “away from it all.”

Still craving a real vacay? Cut back on transportation-related emissions (and vacation costs) by choosing a staycation at an inn, lodge or hotel in your area. Check out your region’s tourism website to find lodging near you and use our guide to make sure your pick is eco-friendly. Not sure where to start? A simple Web search with the word “tourism” and your town or region’s name should point you in the right direction.

2. Stay green

Like on any vacation, it may be tempting to let your green habits slip for a long weekend. But resist the urge and keep being green no matter where you go. Whether you stay at a local hotel or your own house, remember to help save water and energy and continue to recycle.

To up the green ante of your staycation, visit green businesses in your neighborhood, or grab a snack at an eco-friendly eatery. If you’re planning a picnic in the park, package your food in reusable containers instead of plastic bags and dine on portable reusable plates, like these from Preserve.

And you can never go wrong with getting outside for an hour or two. Enjoying the outdoors helps you remember why protecting the planet is so important; and you’ll save on energy, too! Instead of setting the thermostat to the perfect temperature and turning on the lights in every room, plan some fun outdoor activities to feel at one with Mother Nature.

Bee My Lovebug set by John & Kira’s

Bee My Lovebug gift set by John & Kira's

These stylish, hand-painted chocolates are almost too cute to eat – almost. Each Bee My Lovebug set is filled with mouth-watering salted caramel touched with fragrant basswood honey from the family-owned Draper’s Apiary.

To create these adorable Honey Caramel bees, John & Kira’s combines 64 percent organic Valrhona chocolate with fresh cream and a touch of sugar for a tasty ganache that’s perfect for love bugs. Choose from nine or 16-piece sets or their massive 27-piece tower.

Price: $26.10 for a 9-piece set

BUY IT HERE

Photo: Miniwiz

Looking for an eco-friendly case for your iPhone 4S? Check out the innovative Re-Case from Miniwiz, a carrier that uses trash and agricultural by-products to protect your phone in style.

The company combines by-products from the rice farming industry with post-consumer thermoplastics – including plastic bottles and bottle caps – to form its POLLIBER™ material, which is used for the Re-Case along with other products like the Re-Wine wine case and Polli-Brick™ building materials.

Reprocessed rice husks counteract the strength polypropylene loses as it is recycled – meaning a highly durable and recyclable material that is “able to be manufactured at an unbeatable minimum of CO2 emissions,” the company said.

Made from “100 percent trash” in accordance with the company’s slogan, the Re-Case not only holds your beloved iPhone but also credit cards for maximum functionality.

In addition to eco benefits, the ripple design of the Re-Case creates a tactile effect that is said to have stress-relieving properties, according to the company. So, checking those work emails may become surprisingly relaxing!

The Re-Case is available in six colors on Amazon and in the Miniwiz online store for $24.95.

READ: ‘Bionic’ iPad 2 Case Made From Bottles

Tip #1: Rather than hopping in your car and heading to the local gym, take a jog, walk or bike ride in the great outdoors right outside your home. Photo: Flickr/Matt McGee

Were you one of the countless Americans who made the New Year’s resolution to exercise more in 2012? Before you hop in your car to drive to the gym or invest in an expensive, energy-sucking home exercise machine, check out these six ways to lower the environmental footprint of your new workout routine.

1. Ditch the car

Rather than spew carbon emissions on your way to the gym, step out of your car and green your exercise regimen by taking advantage of the great outdoors.

Jog on hiking trails near your house, bike through your neighborhood or take a walk outside your office on your lunch break.

It’s even better if you can complete your daily to-do’s while increasing your heart rate: walking to the corner store to pick up some groceries or biking to work.

Too cold to venture outside this time of year (or too hot in the summer)? Sign up for online yoga classes through YogaToday or YogaGlo, and pursue your practice in the comfort of your own home. Or borrow yoga, Pilates and other exercise DVDs from the local library – a very inexpensive way to start your home workout routine.

READ: 10 Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors

2. Upgrade to a reusable bottle

It’s important to stay hydrated while working out, and if you haven’t made the switch to a reusable water bottle, it’s time to add that to your list of New Year’s resolutions.

Bottled water creates 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Of course, you can easily recycle plastic water bottles through most local recycling programs, but as you know, it’s always environmentally preferable to reduce waste before recycling it.

While you’ll always want to keep bottled water around in your home’s emergency kit or when traveling in a place with a questionable water supply, replace your daily bottled water habit with a reusable water bottle filled up with tap water – which the NRDC has found is as safe and clean as bottled water.

When shopping for your reusable water bottle, look for plastic bottles labeled as BPA-free, aluminum bottles with BPA-free lining and stainless steel bottles, which often contain a high amount of recycled content material.

READ: Quick Guide to Metal Water Bottles

3. Get green gear

You don’t have to spend a small fortune on exercise equipment to start your new workout regimen.

Simply use items you already have lying around the house to build your own home gym: Use canned foods as weights, several towels instead of a mat, two chairs for triceps exercises and a small stool to use as a step.

If you find you need to buy a few new items, look for products made from eco-friendly materials. Yogis and Pilates enthusiasts should consider JadeYoga’s natural rubber and recycled rubber yoga mats and Gaiam’s cork yoga blocks and organic cotton yoga straps.

If you’re in the market for an exercise ball, hand weights or resistance bands, check out Natural Fitness’ wide array of equipment, many of which are made from recycled materials and natural rubber.

Looking to add larger exercise equipment to your home gym? Clip a bicycle trainer onto your regular bike, and you have a stationary bike that doesn’t require electricity and didn’t break the bank. You can also consider purchasing a self-powered, non-motorized treadmill – a cheaper, less bulky option than conventional treadmills that doesn’t suck power from the grid.

Green Tip #1: Use your time off to explore a farmer's market in your area. You never know what you may find! Photo: Flickr/Marc_Smith

1. Visit a farmer’s market

Since you have some free time on your hands, make a trip to that unexplored farmer’s market you’ve been eying. Buying local and sustainably-farmed produce dramatically decreases the footprint of your nightly meals, and these picks tend to be healthier and tastier, too. From heirloom veggies to homemade hot sauce, you never know what you might find from farmers and vendors in your area.

Not sure where to find a farmer’s market near you? Just punch your zip code into the USDA or Local Harvest databases, and you’ll get a list of choices in your neighborhood.

READ: Your Local Guide to Winter Produce

2. Explore your neighborhood

If you’re ever stumped for a green activity, the best thing you can do is get outside. Spending time outdoors helps you remember why protecting the planet is so important, and you’ll also save some cash on your electric bill, as you won’t have to use energy for heating and lighting your home.

So, pile on the winter gear, and head to a local pocket park, botanical garden or uncharted walking path to experience something new in your town. Don’t know where to go? Head to your town or municipality’s Website to find listings of nearby parks, outdoor events and more. Once you get home, get cozy and enjoy one of our yummy coffee shop-free winter beverages to warm up.

READ: 10 Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors

3. Volunteer

Take a page from Dr. King’s book and do a little volunteering in your spare time. Lend a hand at a local community garden or animal shelter, or take part in park or beach cleanup.

Most municipalities have a calendar of upcoming volunteer days on their Website. But if you don’t see an event that strikes your fancy, a simple Google search with your town’s name and the words “Martin Luther King Day (or Presidents’ Day) volunteering” should point you in the right direction.

SEE: Great American Cleanup Kicks Off in Times Square

4. Relax the natural way

Planning a day full of much-needed TLC? Skip the pricey eco spa, and do a little relaxing right in your own home. Dim the lights, spark up some all-natural candles and test out one of these five luxe spa treatments that you can do yourself on the cheap. Most treatments cost less than $10!

And if the winter weather has been taking a toll on your bod, this is a great time to get your fix on. Check out our DIY guide to curing common winter woes like dry skin, chapped lips and frizzy hair using common pantry ingredients.

SEE: Spa Treatments Made from Wilted Roses

5. Do some winter weatherizing

If you’ve noticed a few drafts in your home, apartment or dorm room, your day off is the perfect time to make things a little more comfortable (and energy-efficient!). Start by taking a walk through all of your rooms, and make note of any drafty areas. Then, use our weatherization guides for homeowners, apartment-dwellers and dorm residents to fix the problem.

Also, take a moment to check out your heating system. Make sure the exterior of your system is clean and free of obstructions, and change the air filter if it looks dirty. If you live in an apartment or dorm room, speak to your landlord or RA about heating system maintenance, as an inefficient system can suck up loads of energy and cost you or your school big bucks on utilities.

READ: Cheap Ways to Do a ‘Lite’ Home Remodel

Jessica Stavros of Prospect Heights sports a dress made from used vegetable and potting soil bags, a bracelet made of wrappers, a headpiece from an aluminum can, a purse from cookie bags and flip flops from juice pouches. Photo: Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County

We’ve seen a lot of “trashy” fashion shows over the years, but this one deserves a closer look.

The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) in Illinois has been putting on fashion shows inspired by recycled materials for five years. This year’s show was held on Nov. 17 to commemorate America Recycles Day, and it was a smashing success – drawing 500 attendees from all over the county.

READ: America Recycles Day Proves a Success

The event showcased 43 outfits – representing 65 designers ages 12 to adult – that were made from items destined for the trash can or recycling bin. Materials used to create the fab fashions included plastics, recycled paper, pet food and store shopping bags, food packaging and repurposed textiles (like curtains, old jeans, table cloths and pillow shams).

The cooky fashions on display ranged from a cute dress made from vegetable and potting soil bags by Jessica Stavros of Prospect Heights to a ball gown made from newspaper – entitled “Black and White and Read All Over” – made by Karina Guico, programming assistant for the Morton Grove Library.

“Each piece is a statement about being resourceful and respectful by utilizing resources we already have a bit longer,” said Mary Allen, recycling and education director for SWANCC.

Designers hailed from all over the region, including Arlington Heights, Barrington, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights and Skokie.

Check out the video below to see all the cunning creations up close.

And what about Christmas décor items, like plastic boughs to decorate the staircase that won’t make it another holiday, or outdated bows, plastic tree skirts and broken tree stands? Turns out that though it seems unlikely, quite a bit of this stuff can be recycled and reused.

Holiday Cards

• Reuse Ideas: Collages, Art Supplies, Post Cards, Gift Tags, Bookmarks, Picture Frames

Any relatively plain holiday card can actually be recycled as long as it doesn’t contain one of those music inserts, a plastic piece or layer or anything metallic. If it’s just plain paper, it can be included along with other paper in your curbside pickup. Most cards fall into this category, so even if you end up tossing the other ones, it will at least be a smaller volume.

There are a number of creative projects you or your kids can do with used holiday cards. They can be used for craft projects, and the cold dark months following Christmas and New Years are the perfect time for such artistic activities. Many holiday cards have all sorts of non-holiday related illustrations and pictures that can be fun for kids to collage with as well.

If your kids aren’t into collaging (or you don’t have a lot of children around), you can send cards to kids who will. Or check with your friends who are teachers or who work at schools as they are usually open to receiving art supplies.

Cards also make great bookmarks, gift tags for packages or makeshift frames for pictures on the fridge or bulletin board. And if you remove the back of the card, it can be popped in the mail and used again as a postcard.

Wrapping Paper

• Reuse Ideas: Storage Spruce-Up, Book Covers, Drawer Liners

Like cards, most wrapping paper can be recycled on the curb with other mixed paper. Again, don’t try to recycle any metallic prints, paper with embedded ribbon or anything that’s obviously made out of something other than paper. You can always save the paper and use it again, if it’s in decent shape. But there is so much more you can do with the lovely printed paper than that!

Cover shoe boxes with used wrapping paper to create attractive storage boxes for any room in the house. Wrapped in pretty prints, you can leave these boxes out for all to admire make some room in your overloaded closets. See how to do it perfectly here.

You can also use this paper to cover books that tend to get trashed, like cookbooks or kids’ textbooks. You can also spritz with your favorite perfume and line your drawers with the paper, which will lend a lovely scent to your clothes.

Ribbons and Bows

• Reuse Ideas: Gift Wrap Library, Decoration Accessories

I always reuse ribbons and bows multiple times, to the extent that for the last five years I haven’t bought any, and now I have a collection of all sorts of package-top décor. A way to extend the longevity (and class up) ribbon use is to use real ribbon. You can often find rolls of discontinued colors and patterns at the fabric store, and it can be used as a fun hair accessory or to dress up your next gifted bottle of wine or bunch of flowers.

Home Décor

• Reuse Ideas: Donation, Packaging, Gardening Additions, Fragrance, Organizers, Decor in Other Spaces

For difficult-to-recycle items like plastic wreaths and goofy figurines, there are a number of ways to go. First, if the items are still in good condition, consider donating them to Goodwill or Salvation Army, as someone else might love Aunt Martha’s hand-painted snowman, too.

Next, check with your local pick up program to see if there’s a drop-off for some items. For example, in many communities, plastics that can’t be recycled curbside are accepted at a specific location- giant plastic figurines and such might fit into this category, and it would be worth a drive to drop them off rather than sending them to the dump.

Lastly, is there something you might be able to do with the décor to at least make it useful before it’s thrown away? Plastic garlands can be used for packing material for the next package you ship, and colorful broken ceramic pieces can be used as edgers in the garden or as filler at the bottom of an oversized pot.

If you have real garlands that are dried out after the festivities of the season, you can strip the needles and use them to fill small cloth bags that will scent your drawers and closets year-round.

Out-of-date plates can be covered in fabric and used to hold keys, mail, jewelry or other easy-to-lose items. Or they can be broken up and used to make mosaic designs for mirror or picture frames.

With a little creative thinking, much of what you might toss in the trash can have a second (or third!) life after the holidays.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on Dec. 20, 2010. It was reformatted and updated on Dec. 5, 2011. You can see the original version here.

Business travelers and study abroad students can use every gift on this list. Read on for more info. Buen viaje!

Libre Tea Infuser Mug

Libre Tea Infuser Mug

Give the gift of relaxation to a loved one who’s always on the move. The twist-off filter and clever design of this tea-infuser mug by Libre allows your weary traveler to brew up a cup of loose-leaf tea anytime, anywhere. The double-walled mug keeps tea warm but stays cool to the touch for easy carrying.

Price: $32.50

BUY IT HERE

Decades of Destinations Passport Cover

ModCloth Passport Cover

What to get the traveler who has everything? How about a funky accessory for that impressively-stamped passport? Made from recycled vinyl and embellished with a retro road sign, this protective pouch will help important travel documents stay safe (and stylish!).

Price: $18.99

BUY IT HERE

Dynomighty Mighty Tags for Luggage

As all frequent travelers know, there’s nothing worse than lost luggage. Help your favorite jet-setters keep their belongings protected with reusable luggage tags, like Dynomighty Mighty Tags. Made from a super-strong recycled plastic microfiber, these tags can be used once or up to hundreds of times without tearing.

Price: $4.99 for a set of 10

HOW TO WIN IT: Tell us in the comment section who will be receiving this gift and why they’re the perfect recipient. Please specify you’re entering to win this product. Winners will be chosen on Dec. 12.

BUY IT HERE

Solio Rocsta Charger

Solio Solar Charger

Help your jet-setter keep electronic essentials charged anywhere with a solar charger from Solio. This portable power source is compatible with more than 3,200 devices and gets its power right from the sun. Supplement solar energy with juice from a USB port, and store power for up to one year for unforeseen journeys.

Price: $79.99

BUY IT HERE

Recycled Sail Toiletry Kit by Ella Vickers

Ella Vickers Recycled Toiletry Set

Remind your well-traveled loved one of the open sea with this toiletry kit made from old ship sails. Perfect for on-the-go hygiene essentials, this travel bag comes in two different fabrics to suit any taste. Choose pre-consumer sail scraps for a polished look or post-consumer fabric (made from used sails) for rugged appeal.

Price: $60

BUY IT HERE

Travel Journal by Urban Ecologie

Urban Ecologie Travel Journal

This recycled paper travel journal is a great way to keep track of all your journeys. The globe-trotters in your life can jot down quick notes or fill in detailed information about all their favorite destinations. So, they’ll never forget the name of that awesome restaurant on their next visit.

Price: $18.95

BUY IT HERE

Down to Earth Travel Pillow by The Happy Company

Down to Earth Portable Pillow

For the air-friendly traveler in your life, check out this super-portable travel pillow made with recycled memory foam. The Down to Earth pillow is designed to stow easily in a carry-on bag when rolled up and expand for cushy comfort when unrolled. Just shake it up and watch the recycled foam bits expand.

Price: $25.00

BUY IT HERE

“Chip Tote” by TerraCycle

Add a little whimsey to all your journeys with this tote made from recycled Lays potato chip bags. This funky tote will bring a smile to any traveler’s face, and it’s perfect for stowing carry-on essentials.

Price: $12.99

HOW TO WIN IT: Tell us in the comment section who will be receiving this gift and why they’re the perfect recipient. Please specify you’re entering to win this product. Winners will be chosen on Dec. 12.

BUY IT HERE

NOTE: The giveaway is now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered! See the official Contest Rules

The green lessons we learned this Thanksgiving can help you cut back on kitchen waste all year round! Photo: Flickr/little blue hen

1. Take inventory

Food-related holidays are the perfect time to analyze how you’re disposing of kitchen waste. Think back to what was left after your Thanksgiving meal. How many times did you take out the trash? How much of your waste was compostable or recyclable? And what can you do to keep that trash can empty?

If you found yourself tossing a lot of recyclable waste, think about why that is. Recycling can seem like a bit of a challenge if your locality doesn’t offer a curbside program or only accepts limited materials. But you can still minimize waste on your own. Designate a large bin for recyclables, and take them to a local recycling center a few times a month. Not sure where to go? Use Earth911 to find a recycler near you.

Remember that some facilities require recyclables to be sorted before drop-off. Check your local recycler’s Website beforehand to be sure, and set up multiple bins for different materials to take the hassle out of sorting waste later.

If most of your waste was compostable, weigh your options and decide which compost plan is right for you. If you have space in your backyard, the easiest thing to do is start your own compost pile. But if you live in an apartment or don’t have a yard, there are still plenty of options for your organic waste. Check out our easy guide for greening a small space. Or save your food scraps in the freezer until you can bring them to a commercial composting facility.

READ: How to Troubleshoot Your Compost Pile

2. Start with a whole food

In our Green Thanksgiving Guide, Emily Vaughn, associate program manager for Slow Food USA, suggested starting with a whole food to reduce waste in the kitchen. But this lesson isn’t just for the holidays.

When planning out your nightly meals, ditch canned, frozen or prepared foods for whole fruits and vegetables and fresh meats whenever possible. This step alone will leave your trash can astonishingly empty, as you’ll virtually eliminate packaging waste and be left with nothing but compostables.

Not sure how to plan a meal without a little help from the box? We have a huge library of recipes to get you started. Check out these yummy lunches, dinners and compostable meals, and surprise the family with something fresh tonight.

READ: Your Local Guide to Fall Produce

3. Use it up

One-third of food in America goes to waste, adding up to 25 percent of what’s in our landfills, according to Slow Food USA. Minimize the food waste in your trash can by using every last bit, like incorporating vegetable scraps and meat bones into stocks, sauces and gravies.

With the cool days of winter fast approaching, your dinnertime repertoire will likely be ripe with warming comfort foods. When that extra-cold evening comes, why reach for a packaged pick when you can whip up your own tasty creations using food scraps?

A few carrot tops won’t necessarily make a tasty broth. So, save meat and vegetable scraps in a bag in the freezer until you’ve collected enough to make your stock. Not sure how to make stock from scratch? We’ll teach you!

READ: 10 Reuse Ideas for Food Scraps

4. Get crafty with leftovers

Leftovers aren’t always the most exciting of meals. So, they can often sit uneaten in the back of the fridge. Fight back against food waste by giving your leftovers a facelift, and the family will be far more likely to make them disappear.

Stuck for ideas? Try turning that roasted chicken into a tasty soup, making a casserole out of leftover side dishes or whipping up an omelette incorporating last night’s main course.

When planning your recycled meal, don’t restrict yourself to the leftovers in your fridge. Take Vaughn’s suggestion and go shopping in your pantry for added ingredients. Use those canned veggies and half-full bags of rice to spice up your dinner creation, and keep useful items from going to waste.

READ: This App Has Recipes for Your Leftovers

5. Harness your purchasing power

Food-heavy holidays make us painfully aware of how over-packaged foods can amount to overstuffed trash bins. When browsing in your local grocery store, take a moment to compare and contrast. Not for price – for packaging!

Use your purchasing power to stop waste before it starts by opting for items packaged in recyclable material whenever possible. And avoid individually-wrapped foods in favor of buying in bulk. All those snack food staples you pack in the kids’ lunch boxes can usually be found in bulk sizes for lower prices, and you’ll save a ton of packaging waste. Portion foods yourself in reusable containers, and keep containers sealed to help bulk foods stay fresh.

And while you’re getting smart about your purchases, consider buying local. Opting for a regional favorite cuts back on transportation emissions, as some non-local foods can be shipped hundreds or even thousands of miles before they reach your table. Local picks tend to be fresher, healthier and tastier, too.

READ: 5 Absurdly Over-Packaged Foods

Most of these fun, new toys run on rechargeable batteries that ensure hours of unplugged access. However, as new products come out, and old ones are replaced, it is important to remember that if improperly disposed, those rechargeable batteries create waste and can be harmful to the environment.

“By making recycling part of your holiday festivities, you are helping to reduce the waste sent to our nation’s landfills,” said Linda Gabor, vice president of marketing and account management at Call2Recycle^®. “When upgrading to the latest and greatest technologies this holiday season, give a gift to the planet by recycling your used rechargeable batteries and cell phones at one of Call2Recycle’s free drop-off locations nationwide.”

Call2Recycle, the only free rechargeable battery and cell phone collection program in North America , offers over 30,000 public collection sites, including major retailers like Best Buy, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, RadioShack and Staples. Along with other recycling options that may be available to you locally, there are plenty of ways to properly discard your favorite gadget’s rechargeable batteries and enjoy your new ones guilt free!

Here are some popular gadgets this season that present some extra recycling opportunities:

1. Tablets: Apple iPad 2, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Photo courtesy of Samsung

Fully loaded with the latest technology, the newest tablets are thin, lightweight and more capable than ever, making them one of the hottest gadgets on wish lists everywhere.

Ranging widely in price and features, shoppers have plenty of choices. Apple fans will love the iPad 2 with its updated operating features and its 10- hour battery life, however there are non-Apple contenders such as the Android-operated Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy Tab that typically offer comparable features in a lower price range.

Tablets are powered by rechargeable batteries that have varying life spans depending on the product and the owner’s usage habits. While they are being created to last longer and longer, it is very important to dispose of them properly once they are being replaced.

READ: Apple Buys Back E-waste for Gift Cards

Apple products should be recycled by returning to Apple, where it will be managed in an environmentally responsible way. For other brands, check to see if the brand you purchase has a buy-back or recycling program established.

If not, find a participating location in your area by visiting Call2Recycle’s rechargeable battery collection drop off locator.

2. Handheld Gaming Devices: Nintendo DS, Sony PSP, Leapfrog

Looking for a gamer-friendly gadget this year? A handheld gaming device like a Nintendo DS , Sony PSP or even a LeapFrog  for the younger crowd is a great idea.

Putting hours of entertainment at your fingertips, these handy handhelds make on-the-go gaming easier than ever with a vast selection of video games and fun learning programs.

In most cases, their rechargeable lithium ion batteries will last up to 10 hours per charge and take about 500 charges. However, when it comes time to replace your battery, or upgrade your system altogether, the batteries shouldn’t go in the trash. Check out your local recycling options; often major retailers will take back electronics at no charge.

READ: Best Buy Eliminate E-Waste Recycling Fee

Nintendo also offers a take-back program, and Call2Recycle offers drop off locations and send-back programs across the country.

3. Smartphones: iPhone, Samsung, HTC

Apple's iPhone 4S. Photo courtesy of Apple, Inc.

This year a smartphone is a smart choice for holiday gift giving. Apple’s iPhone 4S  was released just in time for the holidays with even more bells and whistles to make it a very popular choice.

The iPhone is by no means the only choice, however, for those interested in other brands or operating systems.

Brands like Blackberry, HTC, Samsung and Motorola are constantly coming out with sleeker, feature-loaded smartphones for anyone looking to stay connected.

WATCH: EPA Names Best Green Apps 

Smartphones use rechargeable lithium ion batteries, and their lifespan between charges tends to be on the short side due to their size. However, if you get the smartphone of your dreams this season and are done with your old one, be sure to recycle it! Call2Recycle collects all cell phone types at their drop-off locations, and Apple brand products can be returned to Apple for proper disposal.

4. Cameras: Nikon, Canon, Olympus

As far as gadgets go, it’s hard to go wrong with a digital camera.

Depending on your needs and your budget, there are a ton of choices spanning the price and feature spectrum.

Popular brands such as Nikon, Canon, Olympus and Sony offer everything from low-end cameras for the beginner to high-end options for the photo pro.

Regardless of the brand or price range, the rechargeable batteries digital cameras use all need to be recycled properly. Whether you’re replacing your old camera entirely, or just the battery, be sure to check the brand for a take-back program or find a Call2Recycle drop-off nearby.

5. E-readers: Barnes and Noble Nook, Amazon Kindle

Amazon's Kindle family. Photo courtesy of Amazon.

An e-reader can make a great gift, whether it’s for the student, the traveler or the bookworm in your life. With their no-glare screens, built-in book lights and endless library options, these gadgets have mass appeal. Choices abound from Barnes and Noble’s Nook to Amazon’s Kindle products.

Their rechargeable batteries range in life span, meaning replacements will be inevitable. Most e-reader battery replacements are small and can be purchased and installed by the owner. Just be sure when the time comes to replace your e-reader’s battery that you find a local Call2Recycle location rather than tossing it out!

Editor’s Note: Earth911 partners with many industries, manufacturers and organizations to support its Recycling Directory, the largest in the nation, which is provided to consumers at no cost. Call2Recycle is one of these partners.