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What is the first thing you think about when you think of “holiday season?” Well for me it’s a period between October for Halloween through, well for LA, it’s through Mardi Gras season before we take a break until Easter. But for “THE HOLIDAY” season in terms for everyone else, it’s Thanksgiving to New Year’s. So what do you think of? Probably traveling, gifts, parties, food, and stress! Let’s face it – holidays are stressful! But that’s another topic for another day?
How can anyone be eco-friendly and sustainable during this time? Well, today I hope to explore those ideas to help you host a sustainable holiday.
1. Let’s talk wrapping paper. First of all, let’s face facts, it is a complete waste of money. Over the holidays about 227,000 miles worth of wrapping paper get thrown away. That’s enough to circle the Earth NINE TIMES! You spend money for others to destroy paper in a matter of seconds. NOT TO MENTION, most wrapping paper is NOT recyclable. So why not make your own wrapping or go without. We use reusable gift bags and gift tissue that I always collect and smooth out to store for next time. You could also consider using fun fabric as wrapping or try giving reusable tote bags as part of the gift AND wrapping! Or, how about using the comics section of the newspaper? Then you can still recycle the newspaper! But if you are dead set on using wrapping paper, do not waste money on the shiny, glitter, textured, metallic, foil, or stiff type. NONE of those are recyclable. What if you aren’t sure? Then give it the squish test. If the paper is plain, like none of those previously mentioned types of paper, then squish up the paper into a tight ball. If the paper stays in that tight ball, then the paper is recyclable. If the paper springs back out of that tight ball, then the wrapping paper is NOT recyclable. We try to keep two trash piles – one for recyclable wrapping and one for unrecyclable items, or waste.
2. Since we are on the note of gifts lets pause for a moment to consider all the cardboard and gift boxes you’ll incur over holiday season. Remember to break down all the cardboard and be sure to recycle it. Break down the gift boxes as well and store those for next time so you don’t have to spend more money on gift boxes.
Next let’s talk about decorations.
1. Christmas tree – artificial or real? Or can there be another choice? So obviously real trees are great and steeped with tradition BUT I mean, you’re cutting down a tree. The Lorax would be so upset. So cutting down real Christmas trees are not the real eco-friendly way to go. But if you insist of going for a real tree, make sure you recycle your tree into mulch, firewood, compost, or utilize your city’s recycling program for Christmas trees. Some might suggest getting an artificial tree and reuse year after year. Though the idea is there, you would have to keep your well-cared for artificial tree for at least 10 years to have the same carbon impact as using a real tree each year. Artificial trees are also a big hazard because they are made of PVC which require a lot of fossil fuels to make and therefore add more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. They are also flammable which is why companies put flame retardants on them so basically, you’re housing a giant triangle-shaped stick of toxic plastic. And ultimately they are not recyclable. Try an alternative tree option like book trees, wine bottle trees or even a native potted tree.
2. For all those light décor dreams of yours, make sure you’re using LED lights. A study from US Dept of Energy shows that if everyone replaced their lights to LED then at least two billion kwatt’s of electricity could be saved in one month which is enough to power 200,000 homes for a year! And remember to turn off all lights at night both inside and out.
3. Go through your home décor and see what you can reuse before considering getting new décor. However, try going to the local thrift shop and get “new-to-you” décor to save money and repurpose things. If any of your items are no longer able to be used, consider repurposing them or recycling them, if you can.
A last few quick tips to consider is traveling less during the holidays, consider giving “ experiences” as gifts, find the safe and proper way to recycle old electronics, and definitely look into proper meal prep.
From our family to yours, we wish you all the happiest of holidays and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!