How To Lessen Waste During The Holiday Season
It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it's also one of the most wasteful! Here are some tips to help you go through the holidays more sustainably!
The holiday season is fast approaching, and it only means we'll be deep in get-togethers, gift shopping, dinner party planning, and everything in between very soon! While this may be the merriest and most wonderful time of the year, and while it truly is the season to give ourselves a break and an extra treat or two, it can also become one of the most wasteful seasons of the year.
Tons of slightly used wrapping paper, too much food on the table, excessive use of electricity—you name it! According to some of the statistics mentioned in a news website edie article, "more than five million tons of Christmas wrapping paper are landfilled every year", and "4.8 million British Pounds worth of leftover festive food is thrown away every year in the UK", among many more shocking numbers. And according to The Boar, a Stockholm Environment Institute study revealed that Christmas festivities could release as much as 650kg of carbon dioxide emissions per year. Yes, every single gift wrapper you throw, and every plate of food you don't finish contributes to this shocking number!
Surely there is a better, more sustainable way to celebrate the holidays, right?
When we say better and sustainable, of course we don't mean that you shouldn't have fun! Being more aware of how much we consume, and how much we waste, can do us, and our planet much good. This holiday season, we get another chance to celebrate wiser, be friendlier to the Earth, and do it all in a much more meaningful way. Swipe through the gallery for our list of tips of lessening waste during the holidays:
Sustainable Holiday Tips
Sustainable Holiday Tips
Recycle gift wrappers
You can totally re-use gift wrappers, especially beautifully patterned ones, paper bags, and ribbons! Stock them properly and use them for another time!
Photo Credit: Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Use electricity wisely
You can totally spread holiday cheer without overdoing your electric bill. Set a schedule for turning lights on, and stick to it!
Photo Credit: Photo by Max Bender on Unsplash
Plan deliveries well
Playing Santa by delivering gifts? Plan your routes well, to save on gas! Inquire with your favorite courier service to see if they can do this too.
Photo Credit: Photo by Honey Fangs on Unsplash
Order and prepare only what you can finish
We love a full holiday dinner table, but we don't like food waste. Plan your orders well, give away what you can't finish, and enjoy the meal til the very last bite!
Photo Credit: Photo by Jed Owen on Unsplash
Yes, you can re-gift
There's no shame in re-gifting, especially if you will not be making use of the gift you received. Find someone else who can truly appreciate it, and you would have made someone else happier while you're at it!
Photo Credit: Photo by Julia Larson from Pexels
Re-cycle Christmas decor
Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a new set of decor every year! Be creative, think of new ways to spruce up what you already have, and resist the urge to keep buying new ones just because you saw a display at the mall.
Photo Credit: Photo by Hert Niks on Unsplash
DIY Christmas gifts or offer your services
Christmas gifts don't have to be expensive to be appreciated. Make your own gift, or offer your services to a loved one. It can be as simple as helping in a chore or walking the dog outside!
Photo Credit: Photo by Samuel Holt on Unsplash
Gift an experience
While you're thinking about gifts, why not give an experience? Take your family out for a road trip and enjoy the outdoors! Imagine the wonderful memories you will create!
Photo Credit: Photo by alyssa teboda on Unsplash
Set the table, avoid disposables
Some people prefer disposables, to save time from dishwashing. But this means a ton of single-use plastic down the drain. Take your precious China out, set a beautiful holiday dinner table, and enjoy it. Yes, you will put extra effort but it will be worth it!
Photo Credit: Photo by Libby Penner on Unsplash
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