The holidays may be the most joyful time of the year for you, your family, and friends, but all the gift exchanges, feasts, and other festivities aren’t parties for the planet. Americans are 25% more waste generated, An additional 2.9 billion tons Number of items headed to landfill during December.
The fossil fuels, trees, and other natural resources used to make plastic toys, fast fashion, novelty gifts, and wrapping paper take a toll on the environment, including wildlife and the habitat they need to survive. I am.
They also have a negative impact on the well-being of many people. a 2022 national survey conducted by the Center for Biological Diversity Survey shows 91% of Americans agree that holidays are too materialistic, and nearly 9 in 10 believe holidays should be less about giving and receiving gifts and more about caring for family and others. That’s what I think.
It’s clear that our “more is better” approach to the holiday season isn’t helping society or the planet. The good news is that you can make your vacation more sustainable with a few simple changes.
greener gifts
used gifts good for the environment and your notebook. A unique piece of pottery found at a thrift store or a toy picked up at a yard sale saves the resource mining and environmental pollution required to make new identical products. And used gifts are usually half price.
Non-material and alternative gifts are also a great way to give without impacting the environment or costing a fortune. Instead of purchasing or requesting items, consider the following: Gift movie tickets or museum passes Treat a friend to a meal at your favorite restaurant. Even better, offer them your time and skills by offering them a coupon for a home-cooked meal or babysitting.
When giving or requesting material gifts this holiday season, focus on local stores and stores owned by women and people of color as a way to put money back into the local economy and support equity. Please try to guess. Also, consider zero-waste gift wrapping options instead of wrapping gifts in non-recyclable wrapping paper.
sustainable celebration
Gathering together for a holiday feast is a fun way to make memories and enjoy a delicious meal, but unfortunately, such sumptuous meals can also produce a large amount of food waste.
Plan ahead to ensure you make the right amount of meals. Complete the menu early. Knowing exactly what you want to make and how many people you expect to show up will reduce last-minute sales at the grocery store, reduce waste, and save you money.
Use reusable, non-plastic tableware instead of disposables during meals. Plastics often used in food containers Contains chemical additives Endocrine disruptors are associated with health effects in humans and wildlife, including cancer, birth defects, and immune system suppression.
It’s also a good idea to ask people to bring their own reusable containers to put leftovers in, so excess food doesn’t end up in the trash. Sending people home with leftovers is good for everyone.
Finally, it’s helpful to make a plant-based diet or switch meat from the main course to a side dish. The environment, your wallet, and your health. Easy plant-based swaps make holiday meals innovative and interesting.
sustainable holiday decorations
It’s fun to transform your home into a festive winter wonderland, but the plastic holiday decorations that line your shelves this time of year aren’t doing the planet any good.
Incorporate a touch of the outdoors into your interior design, which is both environmentally and budget-friendly. green clippings, poinsettia, beeswax candleand the collected pine cones are cheap and healthy because they are the act of collecting materials. I’ll take you outside And abandon plastic.
This time of year, thrift stores are filled with whimsical and nostalgic holiday decorations. Before you buy anything new, be sure to browse the aisles of your favorite thrift store.
If putting up a Christmas tree is a tradition, consider making one from materials you already have around the house. A houseplant or a pile of booksinject playfulness and creativity into your celebrations.
Buying a real Christmas tree can sequester carbon and support local economies, but Christmas trees are often sprayed with substances such as: chemical pesticides It has a negative impact on workers and the environment. Similarly, artificial trees are typically made from chemically strong PVC plastic. To match the carbon footprint of a real tree, an artificial tree must be used for 12 to 20 years.
Embrace the winter ritual
While the busyness of the materialistic holidays may leave everyone feeling overwhelmed and drained, many traditional winter rituals encourage us to slow down, renew our spirits, and rest. It is important to remember that you are asking for
This December, celebrate the summer solstice and the return of light, take time to go for a walk in the woods, curl up in a cozy blanket and read a book, or make a warm and nourishing stew. please.
These rituals are beneficial for the earth as they are not resource intensive and help prepare us for the coming year.
About the author
Kelly Dennings is a campaigner. biodiversity center. She has 20 years of experience in the waste prevention field and leads the Center for Biodiversity. simplify the holidays campaign.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on November 28, 2022 and updated in December 2024.
