It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and unfortunately, also the most wasteful. Not sure how to remain zero waste during the holidays while enjoying the season to the fullest? Don’t worry, it’s possible, and it’s also easier than you might think!
8 Zero-Waste Tips During the Holidays
1. Go Natural with Décor
There are many gorgeous ways to decorate your home for Christmas without buying a ton of plastic items and cutting down trees. Instead, look for eco-friendly objects around your home which you can repurpose as decoration. Avoid one-time use decorations such as balloons, streamers, and confetti.
For instance, try using pine cones, branches, cinnamon sticks, sprigs of rosemary, and oranges as beautiful and most importantly, compostable décor. Reusable organic cotton rounds are not just great for your skin routine, but you can also use them for snowy décor. As a bonus, you home will smell so lovely! You can also decorate with items you can use for many years, such as glass ornament balls, pottery pieces, and metal décor.
2. Use LED Lights for the Holidays
Love the look of Christmas lights? Use LED bulbs to light up your home during the holidays. They consume an amazing 80% less energy than conventional incandescent Christmas lights. They’re also shock resistant and more durable than other options because they’re don’t glass, filaments, and moving parts.
3. Use Christmas Tree Alternatives
It’s heartbreaking to see trees getting cut down just to become part of Christmas décor. However, you don’t have to give up your classic Christmas tree because there are eco-alternatives you can do. For instance, buy a live tree which you can plant in the spring. Decorate a houseplant instead. Or if you really want to do a cut tree, search for ways to turn it into mulch by yourself or through a city-sponsored program.
4. Ask Guests to Bring Their Own Containers
Excess food is usually inevitable during any holiday gatherings. People look forward to leftovers just as much as they do to the feast.
Say goodbye to paper plates, foil, cling wrap and plastic containers, and ask your family and friends to bring their own instead. This way, you don’t have to worry about getting your stuff back, and everyone gets to bring home food without creating more waste.
5. Think Zero Waste About Gift Giving
Sadly, too many people equate the holidays with material things. The sheer number of sales and deals make buying gifts such a big temptation. However, a massive part of holiday waste comes from excess electronics, trinkets, toys, and other gifts sold and shared during this time.
Instead of contributing to this, be intentional with your Christmas gifts this year. For instance, gift your loved ones with experiences instead of objects. Give them museum memberships, concert tickets, or access to events they like. Donate something to a charity they like. Gift them something hand-made, such as artisan soaps, food, or personalize crafts. You can even offer acts of service as a gift, such as home repair help, free music lessons, and free babysitting.
If you still wish to purchase gifts, be mindful about who you buy from. Research sustainable and ethical brands and small businesses. Not only are you helping out entrepreneurs, but you’re also supporting their sustainable mission.
6. Be Creative with Gift Wrapping
Gift Wrapping is as much a part of the holidays at the gift, but they also produce unbelievable amounts of waste. All those boxes, wrapping paper, plastic bags, ribbons, tags, and other gift wrapping materials are used ones, then discarded forever to end up in a landfill.
Buck traditional while still wrapping your gifts in something beautiful! Flex your creative side by using paper grocery bags, old newspapers and comics, posters, old maps, cloth gift bags, and scrap fabric. Children’s artworks are another cute and fantastic alternative. Planning to ship? Use balled up magazine papers instead of bubble wrap or Styrofoam. In addition, try using reusable jars and decorative storage baskets for a multi-purpose alternative to wrapping paper.
7. Send Out Recycled and Recyclable Holiday Cards
For your annual holiday cards, use cards that don’t contain ribbons, foil, and other non-paper embellishments. Better yet, why not use e-cards instead of physical cards? They’re cheaper, won’t get lost in the post, and you’ve got endless designs to choose from.
8. Skip Disposable Dinnerware
Use the dishes this year instead of disposable paper plates and cups. Try to be creative with your menu, too! For the appetizers, use finger foods that don’t require any plates at all. Serving soup? Use a bread bowl – less dirty dishes to wash, and a delicious way to serve your guests. You can even rent dishes instead of buying your own, which really simplifies holiday entertaining.
‘Tis the Season to Be Less Wasteful
This year, lead by example. There’s no better time to show your commitment to a zero-waste lifestyle than putting it in action during the holidays. Best of all, the tips above don’t just help you reduce waste— they can also inspire you to be more mindful and creative in how you celebrate the holidays with your friends and loved ones.
