The county joined this year the Waste Free Holidays program that was started out by King County more than a decade ago. The program, which now also includes the cities of Seattle and Tacoma as well as Thurston County, has received national acclaim.

“It’s getting to be a Puget Sound regional (program),” says Colleen Minion-Pierce, solid waste technician with Kitsap County. “The idea is to encourage people to buy experiences instead of things.”

She said statistics show there is about 25 percent more trash generated between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, so this program was a good match for the county’s Solid Waste division, which encourages people to reduce waste as well as reuse and recycle.

Participating businesses offer patrons a minimum of 15 percent discount for services, events and other “experiences” such as music, plays, museums, massages, restaurant meals and others. They are promoted in an advertising campaign by the county as well as listed on the program’s Web site, www.wastefreeholidays.com (click on Kitsap County for local offers). As of mid-November, about 30 local businesses have signed up, with offers ranging from 15 percent off gift certificates to restaurants to discounted tours, baseball and symphony tickets.

“By giving a discount, it gets the public to take a closer look (at the business),” Minion-Pierce says.

Businesses that participate get individual links off the Waste Free Holidays Web site that specify their offer, terms, and gives other information such as a link to their own site. Businesses can continue to sign up for the promotion, which lasts until Dec. 31. Although those that sign up late may miss the print advertising campaign, people have to go to the Web site to see the offers, so those businesses will still be visible due to their online listing.