4 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays Sustainably

Between Thanksgiving and News Years, families around the country are rushing to plan for parties and purchase holiday gifts and décor. While this time of the year is wonderful to celebrate with family and friends, it’s also the time of the year that accumulates the most unnecessary waste.  With all the gift wrap, single-use plastic cutlery and decorative lights, Americans produce thousands of pounds of trash plus significant energy and emissions usage each holiday season. Read on to learn how to celebrate sustainably this year.

Recycled Holiday Cards & Gift Wrap

One of the most important things you can do to help support the recycling industry is purchase products from green businesses. This year, you can still send greeting cards to your friends and family with cards made from post-consumer recycled content. Organizations like Tree Free and Wrappily provide greeting cards and wrapping paper made from 100% recycled paper. These environmentally-friendly companies are aiming to reverse the trend of paper product waste.

Energy Efficient Lights

While much of holiday waste comes from gift wrap and greeting cards, a major source of waste that often gets overlooked is the strings of lights many use to decorate their homes.  To enjoy these traditional decorations more sustainably, opt for LED lights. LEDs use 1/10 as much energy, last longer and look just as magical as conventional holiday lighting.  Setting a timer for your lights will also help save even more energy and emissions.

Plastic Free Packaging

For many, this time of the year is spent shopping. Whether it’s for new décor, presents or during after holiday specials, it’s important to keep an eye out for plastic-free packaging. Several companies wrap their goods with excess product and packaging.  Whether you’re shopping online or in-store this, be sure to look for plastic-free or minimal plastic packaging.

Waste Free Party

Throwing a holiday party to celebrate with your family and friends is among the many yearly traditions. If you’re hosting a party this year, swap out plastic cups and utensils for reusable or compostable alternatives. You can make it easy for your guests to dispose of trash properly by providing bins clearly labeled for recycle, compost and trash.

The holidays are meant to be a time to give, share and appreciate what you have. Helping to protect the planet this season is one of the best ways to show appreciation for the place we all call home. To learn more about what you can do to live sustainably this holiday season and the rest of the year, visit https://www.epa.gov/environmental-topics/greener-living.