The holiday season can be the happiest time of year - but it also can be the most wasteful. Americans generate about 25 percent more waste than usual - an extra million tons - between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That’s a lot of garbage.

If you typically strive to tread lightly on the Earth, you don’t necessarily have to abandon your green lifestyle to enjoy the festivities. Consider these simple steps when giving thanks, giving gifts and ringing in the new year.

The tree