Going Green for the Holidays
The holidays are a busy shopping season for many of us. From spending weeks perfecting our homes’ holiday decor to searching for gifts for every person on our lists, there’s often a lot to buy. But through all this shopping, the amount of trash we create grows faster than it does in other seasons. Americans throw away 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Delivery boxes, unwanted gifts, decorations, and gift wrap all add up to twenty-five million more pounds of waste in just a few weeks. So to help reduce your ecological footprint this season, try implementing more eco-friendly options for the holidays.
Repurpose what you already have
Before buying new holiday decorations, look at everything you already have and consider how you can repurpose it. There are many ways to bring new life to your existing decorations, so get creative and see how you can update your things. For example, if you no longer like the color of your ornaments, you could give them a fresh coat of paint to match your current holiday decor style. And if you have a relative who goes all out with decorating for the holidays, consider borrowing from their collection.
Use nature’s decor
Instead of buying imitation garland, wreaths, and trees, opt for the real deal. Found at farms and garden stores, fresh greenery is recyclable and often renewable, making it better for the environment than its faux counterparts. As a bonus, it will also bring a wonderful, authentic holiday scent to your home. Citrus fruits are another great option for your home decor since you can create your own ornaments and add a pop of color to your tree, garland, and even gift wrapping with a natural item.
Buy secondhand
Shopping for resold products at thrift stores and antique stores is a great way of reducing waste since it saves items from landfills and gives new purpose to existing products. While you can find unique decorations that won’t be available elsewhere, you can often find the perfect gifts for your loved ones when you shop used. According to ecommerce company Mercari’s Secondhand Holiday Report, clothing, toys and games, home decor, electronics, and handbags are the most popular gifts to buy at resale. You never know what you’ll find when you shop secondhand, but the perfect item is waiting for you if you’re willing to look for it.
Gift experiences or consumable goods
Instead of rolling the dice on gifts that could just end up stored in closets somewhere, consider gifting experiences or consumable goods. Experiences can range from zoo memberships to tickets to a local theater performance to massage certificates. Think about what that person enjoys doing, and see if there’s something you could give them that they could do rather than put away.
Consumable gifts are another great option to consider this holiday season. If you’re a baker, make a sweet treat for your loved ones. Or, if you’re not a gifted baker, you could buy them a few treats from a local bakery. Consumable gifts reduce the amount of waste since they’ll be, well, consumed.
Shop green
When shopping for new gifts, we tend to think about what is unique or perfect for a specific person, but it’s also worth considering what is most eco-friendly. There’s nothing wrong with buying something new when you shop around for more sustainable products. The key is to look for items that are ethically sourced, certified fair trade, or made from recycled materials. You can find earth-friendly gifts for every age and interest available online, including home decor, jewelry, travel essentials, and toys. For the final eco-friendly touch, be sure to properly recycle the delivery boxes that they come in.
Say goodbye to wrapping paper
Wrapping paper may look pretty, but it’s often a single-use item that is immediately added to your trash since it’s not easily reusable or recyclable. Instead of turning to traditional wrapping paper, opt for bags and tissue paper, which can be saved and reused by the gift recipient. You can also wrap your gifts in different materials, including burlap, hand towels, and fabric that you can decorate with paint and a holiday-themed stamp, adding a touch of personalization and festiveness to the gift wrapping.
With some patience and creativity, you can find the perfect gifts and decorations this holiday season while also being more eco-friendly. Just a little effort goes a long way when it comes to taking care of our environment.