‘Tis the Season of people flooding into malls, rushing to place online orders, good deals, and excessive waste. This surge in consumption has become a central aspect of holiday celebrations but also remains a roadblock on the journey towards sustainability. Though the economy is flourishing and everything is on discount, can we afford the environmental cost?
During the holidays, Americans generate more than 25 million tons of waste, filling 63,000 garbage trucks with wrapping paper, food, or decorations. According to Janik Linder, every year, 1 million tons of holiday cards are thrown away, 23 million tons of clothing are discarded, and 1 billion pounds of wrapping paper are thrown away annually. In a season of shopping, giving gifts, and connection, we are distracted from the impacts of our seemingly harmless traditions. Reflecting on my own role in environmental impact, I struggled to consider sacrificing these traditions. When it comes to sustainability, can there be a ‘best of both worlds’?
The most prominent habit that can harm the environment is gift-giving, and more specifically, giving items that people discard or have no intention of using. One way to gift-exchange guilt-free is to purchase items that are sustainable, such as new refillable water bottles, items made from recycled materials, solar-powered gifts, homemade baked goods, or experiences, such as movie tickets.
Another solution is to make an effort to shop in stores rather than shopping or returning online. It is more environmentally friends as it produces significantly fewer carbon emissions.
To reduce waste, aim to wrap three presents in reused materials, such as magazine pages, towels, jars, or brown paper bags. A Stanford study predicts every American family did this they it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.
When it comes to messages to loved ones, choosing electronic cards or recycled paper is a better option than traditional glittery cards, which cannot be recycled.
When selecting the perfect Christmas tree for every home, rent a potted tree or visit a tree farm. As they grow, they consume CO2 and release oxygen. Artificial trees contain PVC, which is harmful to dispose of, and trees take thousands of years to break down. Once festivities come to a close, find a holiday tree composting program that will help turn them into mulch.
Holidays do not have to be wasteful to be meaningful. Think about how you can take small steps throughout this season to lessen your environmental footprint. Let’s give back to our environment this holiday season.
