The holiday season is such a fun time of year. It’s the time when loved ones come together to share gifts, laughter, joy, and memories! It’s also the time when consumerism is at an all-time high. Our consumption increases during this time of year, as well as our waste.
Just imagine your trashcan during its holiday season. It’s probably filled with food scraps, gift wrap, unwanted mailers, product packaging, and more.
PBS states, “We generate about 25 percent more waste than usual during the holidays.” This can lead to increased stress, overwhelm, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The EPA said it best, “one thing we have control over during the holiday season is the amount of trash we produce. Less trash means less greenhouse gas emissions from waste processing facilities, which contribute to climate change. “
So, take control this holiday season by being mindful about your consumption and the waste you produce.
This post was sponsored by Mel. All opinions are my own.
Holiday Waste Reduction Tips
1. Unsubscribe From Unwanted Holiday Catalogs Using Mel
To avoid unwanted mail, check out Mel, a company that makes it easy to unsubscribe from postal mail. For as low as $25/year, simply sign up and text a photo of your junk mail to 415-358-5422. Mel will remove you from the sender’s list and help you reduce your carbon footprint. They also have gift cards, so you can gift this service to someone in your life. It’s a time saver and a stress reliever.
2. Opt for Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap
We love reusing gift bags over here, but you can also repurpose old newspapers, holiday catalogs, or paper bags into gift wrap.
3. Shop Local
I’m making an effort to support more local shops this holiday season. Shopping locally helps reduce packaging waste and it makes small-business owners do a happy dance.
4. Gift an Experience
Consider gifting your loved ones an experience rather than a material gift. Some of our favorites include gifting concert tickets, wine-tasting e-gift cards, or a membership to a local botanical garden.
5. Buy & Prepare Just Enough Food
Did you know 40% of all food in America is wasted? Don’t contribute to this stat. If you’re cooking food for a holiday party, use the Guestimator calculator to determine how much food is needed to keep your guests full and happy.
6. Ditch Paper Plates and Plastic Utensils
It’s the holidays, so bring out your nice silverware and dinnerware. There’s something more festive about eating off of real plates. Use what you have or thrift some cool vintage dishware.
7. Send Digital Cards
How many physical holiday cards do you actually keep? I feel like the idea of a physical card is great. But if we are being honest, we know most of the cards end up in the trash come January. This year send out an e-card instead. If you still want to send a physical card, check out these eco-friendly holiday cards.
How do you plan to reduce waste this holiday season?
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