While Christmas is one of the most magical times of the year, it’s also one of the most wasteful times of the year because of all the extra things we incorporate and purchase for the holiday season. Here are 25 tips for a low-waste Christmas.
It can be so easy to rack up waste and trash during the holidays due to all the gift packaging, extra food that is served, family gatherings, and other holiday events and traditions.
However, if you’re looking for a few ways to keep it more of a low waste Christmas, there are a few things you can do that will help cut back on waste.
25 Tips for a Low-Waste Christmas:
Reduce Holiday Decorations:
- Scale down on the amount of holiday decorations you put out during the holidays.
- Shop secondhand and purchase decorations from thrift stores (also works for tree ornaments).
- Create your own decorations by upcycling various things (also works for tree ornaments).
- Use natural items like pinecones that you can find outside and wood ornaments that can be composted once Christmas is over (also works for tree ornaments).
- Create your own garland with popcorn or dried fruits.
- Get solar powered outdoor lights if you plan to decorate outside.
Low Waste Christmas Gift Ideas:
- Give the gift of experiences instead of physical gifts. This will be more memorable than physical gifts, anyway!
- Take note of the packaging that the items come in that you are buying. When possible, go for items with little packaging or paper packaging, which can be recycled.
- Think about making homemade gifts! Browse Pinterest – there are so many great ideas!
- Gift eco-friendly products like beeswax food wraps, mesh produce bags, stainless steel straws, glass soap pumps, and items that encourage others to reduce their plastic consumption and waste
- Instead of wrapping presents with traditional wrapping paper, use fabric or paper that can be recycled. Baskets and festive containers work great as well because you can reuse them.
- If you’re purchasing items online, ask and see if they offer reduced packaging.
- Invest in reusable gift bags and gift boxes so that you can save them for future holidays.
- Instead of gift tags, use old paper or recyclable paper. You can even create them from packaging you’ve received with those shipped items you ordered online!
- Give gifts that are high-quality and will last a lifetime.
- Shop for secondhand gifts.
- Give edible gifts to friends and family.
Christmas Cards:
- Send electronic holiday cards instead of paper cards that need to be mailed.
- Upcycle other paper products and create your own Christmas cards.
Holiday Dinners:
- Create a meal plan and stick to it so that you only buy the food that is necessary.
- Know how many guests you need to cook for so you’re not cooking for an army when you only need half of that amount.
- Save your leftovers and freeze for future meals, if you can.
- Use reusable containers or glass containers and bakeware for cooking.
- Don’t use throw away items. Use real plates, cups and utensils.
- If you traditionally pass out leftover food when the feast is over, ask guests to bring their own containers or dishes.
- Use cloth napkins that can be washed and used over and over again.
These are just a few tips on how you can help lower your waste during Christmas.
One of the best things you can do to help save on waste is to get creative and use what you already have!
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