Tips to Prevent Holiday Waste

It is estimated that between Thanksgivings and New Year’s household waste increases by 25%, most of it coming from excessive packaging, leftover food, wrapping paper and plastic bags. According to Recycle Works of San Mateo County, a whopping 4 million tons of trash comes from wrapping paper and disposable shopping bags!

 

1. To do your part to help reduce this amount, invest in a reusable shopping bag. Many grocery stores will even give them out for free if you ask for one. Reusable bags are sturdy and some can even hold more than paper bags. When you’re done just roll it up and put it in your purse or pocket.
2. Wrapping paper can be replaced with something as simple as newspaper, but it is also fun to get creative. You can reuse old maps, glossy magazines, or pages from an old dictionary. Gift bags are also a nice reusable option.  Ribbons can be saved for next year’s gifts. According to Use Less Stuff, if every family reused just two feet of holiday ribbon it would be enough to wrap a ribbon around the earth.
3. Each year 2.65 billion Christmas cards are sold each year in the U.S. This many old cards could fill a football field 10 stories high. This year consider sending an e-card or choose one that is made from recycled paper. After the holiday season is over save the cards, they can be cut into smaller pieces and reused as name tags for next year’s gifts.
4. According to Cygnus Group, 50 million Christmas trees are purchased each year in the U.S. and about 30 million of those end up in the landfill. This year purchase a tree with roots and after the holidays are over you can plant the tree in your yard. You can also save money and energy by only turning your Christmas lights on at night put them on a timer.
5. 28 billion pounds of edible food are wasted each year. That’s over 100 pounds per person. This year cut the serving amounts down and plan ahead to create less waste, table scraps can be composted. Excess canned and dried foods can be donated to people who can really need it. Shelters are happy to take it off your hands, especially during the holiday season.
6. Make your gifts meaningful and simple. Rather than buying a lot of last minute excessively packaged and wrapped gifts, take the time to thinking of one thoughtful gift the person will actually enjoy and use.