Posted: Thursday, December 6, 2012 -- 7:45 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin environmental officials are urging people to cut down on their holiday waste.

The federal government estimates the volume of household waste jumps 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day as families dispose of gift wrap, decorations, packaging, disposable plates and leftover food.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources waste reduction officials suggest replacing old light strings with energy-efficient strings, using timers to turn lights off, using washable dishes and silverware and dividing leftovers among visitors.

They also suggest giving family and friends gift cards, using reusable bags when shopping, wrapping gifts in newspapers, recycling wrapping paper, saving gift boxes and bows for other occasions.