As seen in Gothamist, the NYC Department of Sanitation provides some handy NYCWasteLe$$ Holiday Tips:

• Give homemade gifts, such as cookies, handcrafts, or framed photos.
  
• Give entertainment, such as museum memberships; tickets to movies, theater, concerts, or sporting events; gift certificates to a favorite restaurant.
  
• Give learning, such as language or music lessons; classes in cooking, photography, or other favorite hobbies.
  
• Give your time or talent: personalized coupons that offer free services, such as baby-sitting, pet-sitting, computer help, or home repairs.
  
• Give fitness, such as gym memberships, personal training sessions, or classes in yoga, pilates, or dance.
  
• Give pampering, such as a massage, facial, manicure, or pedicure.
  
• Give to the greater good by making a contribution to someone's favorite charity.

Well, the holidays are pretty much over, but there's always someone's birthday or anniversary or communion or bar mitzvah or whatnot. My Secret Santa this year got me a gift certificate to Whole Foods—indulgent, yes, but everyone's gotta eat, and the gift won't create any extra waste!

Also, don't forget that NYC will be collecting Christmas trees for their annual MulchFest.