Holiday Waste
Over the holidays everyone likes to have a good celebration. Unfortunately, with all that extra eating, drinking and present-buying, this tends to lead to a lot of rubbish, we produce over 3 million tonnes of waste over the festive season. This includes 1 billion greeting cards, 83 square kilometres of wrapping paper, 750 million extra glass bottles and containers, and 500 million extra drinks cans. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Here are some tips on how to have a greener holiday break.
What do you get for somebody who has everything?
An experience. Why not take them out to dinner, or buy them theatre tickets? Not only can you give them a pleasant evening and a lasting memory, but it won’t end up sitting around the house, cluttering up the place, or even ending up in the bin….
Alternatively, you could buy some trees or an animal for a community in the Third World, on their behalf. Oxfam and various other organisations provide the opportunity to pay to plant trees, or buy animals for communities in the Developing World. Or you could sponsor an animal on their behalf.
Buy eco-friendly gifts
Buy gifts made from recycled material, or gifts produced by local craftsmen. If you are buying perfume or cosmetics, buy those made from natural ingredients, or those that haven’t been tested on animals.
Avoid over-packaged goods
Where you have the option, buy presents and food with as little packaging as possible.
Use reusable shopping bags
Reduce the number of plastic bags floating around your house by using cloth shopping bags/rucksacks/Bags for Life. Not only will you be helping the environment by doing this, but cloth bags are much stronger, and better able to support all those presents you are buying. As if those weren’t reasons enough, Tesco is now awarding Green Club Points for people who don’t take new plastic bags.
Buy a sustainable Christmas tree
Some live Christmas trees can be replanted after Christmas. Why not plant yours in your garden after Christmas is over? It can then be dug up next year, or decorated and left in the garden. Alternatively, you could buy a reusable plastic tree.
Buy mechanical toys
If you’re buying any toys this Christmas, try and avoid ones requiring batteries, which will eventually end up in the waste stream. Not only will you be reducing waste, but you’ll be saving energy as well: a double win! If you do buy battery-powered presents, put rechargeable batteries in them.
Use crockery rather than plastic or paper plates and cups
If you’re having a party, think about using reusable plates and cups, so that they don’t need to be thrown away afterwards. If you don’t want to buy that many items, there are a number of places where you can hire them for the evening.
Buy presents that will last
When you’re buying presents, think about buying things that will last, rather than needing to be replaced after a few weeks, when it falls apart. That way, people will remember your generosity for longer. If this will cost more, why not club together with a friend or relative?
Reuse wrapping paper
Wrapping paper is often still in good condition after it has been used. Why not save it up and reuse it next year?
Sustainable Transport
When travelling home for Christmas, why not travel by train or by bus? It is often as quick and as cheap as flying, if not cheaper and quicker.
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For further tips, check out this great blog by Transition cofounder Rob Hopkins On delivery by drone, vinyl and our month of “stuff”…
Or this advent calendar with tips for reducing food waste by LoveFoodHateWaste…
And for the American’s among us, this graphic showing where all the holiday waste ends up in the USA (unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be one for the UK)…
Reblogged this on Simply Supermom and commented: I don't know about you but I always find the holidays to be a mixed bag. On one hand I love the time of year, the thought people put into their relationships, the happiness and excitement a child has leading up to and on Christmas morning. On the other hand there is so much consumption and waste. I am convinced that the social convention to spend at the holiday's is a big factor in the amount of sadness and stress that also goes along with the season. I hadn't really thought about the consumer waste in terms of actual trash but when I came across this post I also saw a way to reduce the cost waste. Ideas like reusable bags cut down on the 'wasted use of space' in your home by storing these bags - and bonus some retailers give you a discount for each reusable bag you use. Cut back on gasoline use AND wasted time by planning your shopping and other holiday related travel wisely ... bonus points for reducing holiday stress and cost by online shopping. Buying things to just throw away really bothers me - think paper towels - unfortunately its so convenient. To reduce waste over the years - and likely confusion if my daughter ever has siblings - I plan to make 'santa sacks'. These are canvas bags with the child's name, initial, or other identifier to leave out for Santa to fill. If you child is older what a great craft project for the holidays, he or she can decorate his/her own. Thanks for the great tips Environmental News! I love anything that will cut cost, save space in my home, and reduce the waste produced by my family! How are you addressing the excess of the holidays?