‘Tis the Season for a Sustainable Holiday

The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, but they’re also the most wasteful times of our lives. During the height of the holiday season from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, research from Stanford University showed that Americans toss away 25% more trash than during any other time of the year. And that trash takes many forms, from Thanksgiving dinner leftovers and discarded holiday cards to the ribbons and bows on Christmas gifts, the gift wrap from Hanukkah presents, and the disposable plates and cups used to host and toast the new year. You better watch out because all of this waste is doing a world of harm to the environment! It’s time to consider all of the wrappings, trappings, and trimmings of the season and make your celebrations more sustainable. With these eco-friendly holiday tips, you can bring the comfort and joy of sustainability to the holiday season this year. 

Be Merry and Bright about Lights

If you love decking the halls, the house, and the tree with conventional twinkling lights, then energy-efficient LED lights and a timer should be at the top of your holiday wish list. LED lights use up to 90% less energy than traditional bulbs and last for approximately 25% longer! You can save even more by buying solar-powered LED outdoor lights and pairing them with a timer that lets your energy savings go up and keeps your electrical bill down. 

Make a Real Difference with Your Tree 

Take a fresh approach with your Christmas tree by getting a real tree this year. Real trees are more eco-friendly than fake ones, which are made of toxic, non-recyclable materials and take hundreds of years to break down in our landfills. When shopping for a live tree, look locally for a sustainable holiday tree farm that grows pesticide-free trees. And for a less traditional take on the traditional tree, consider using a small, potted evergreen that lets you delight in decorating a tree for the holidays, then can be planted in your yard or kept for a touch of greenery year-round and redecorated every season.  

Throw a Bash with Less Trash – Be Eco-Friendly 

When you’re hosting for the holidays, some eco-friendly holiday touches will be welcome at any gathering. Replace single-use plates, cups, and utensils with real dishes, glassware, and cutlery. While disposables may save you a few minutes of washing dishes, they take decades to break down in our landfills. And remember to freeze your leftovers to enjoy later or donate to a local homeless shelter or food bank. Isn’t it worth a little more work for a lot less waste? 

Unwrap Alternatives to Gift Wrap  

While colorfully-wrapped holiday presents may look festive and beautiful, the 2.3 million pounds of gift wrap that piles up in our landfills is, unfortunately, part of the package. See, many traditional single-use gift wraps can’t be recycled because of the inks, dyes, and glitters used in the papers. This year, go for sustainable holiday gift wrap - scrap the traditional gift wrap and get creative with wrapping your presents. Get crafty with materials you have around in the house, such as fabrics, scarves, old newspapers, tea towels, tins, and jars. Then gild your gifts with flowers, twine, and pinecones. 

Make Decking the Halls Second Nature

Decorating is a highlight of the holidays, but those glittery plastic ornaments and single-use seasonal trimmings that fill your home during the holidays just fill up our landfills after it’s over. It’s only natural to want to decorate for holidays, so turn to nature for your holiday décor. Take a stroll in the crisp fall air to gather pinecones, branches, berries, flowers, and leaves. Then use them to make natural ornaments, wreaths, tablescapes, holiday displays, and even gifts!  

Give Green

Treat everyone on your gift list to presents that create lasting memories or do a world of good. Give the gift of an enjoyable experience, such as tickets to a concert, front-row seats to a play, a membership to a museum, a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant, or a donation on behalf of your loved one to a charity they support. Along with helping local businesses and reducing your carbon footprint, these thoughtful gifts will be much more meaningful than trendy trinkets and toys that get tossed away after the season! 

Make Your Own Gifts to Make Others Happy 

Why shop ‘til you drop when you can make, bake, or create your own gifts at home. Get creative by crafting handmade presents, such as knitting a scarf, painting a picture, designing your own jewelry, or making an album of family photos. Bake or make delicious DIY gifts like homemade cakes, breads, brownies, or oatmeal cookies in a jar to send season’s greetings with season’s eatings! 

Send Holiday Wishes Without the Waste 

Write off sending traditional paper greeting cards by either switching to e-cards or using eco-friendly holiday greeting cards made from recycled or reusable paper. 

Sustainability is more than the trend of the season. Today, it’s become a gift that will keep on giving joy to the world.