Happy holidays, from the HFR team! The holidays, in general, can be a time of stress and rushing to get things done. One way to be more deliberate and mindful this holiday season is to consciously be more sustainable. Holiday sustainability can be good for you and your family’s health, save you money, and contribute to less clean-up, which all-in-all will relieve you of some of the stress associated with this time of year. Here are 10 easy way to be more sustainable this holiday season:
Recycle wrapping paper and gift boxes
One of the 3 R’s to reduce waste, recycling wrapping paper, and gift boxes! Recycling wrapping paper and gift boxes can save trees, money, and energy. For one, you can reuse new ones you get and old ones already stored in your home or you can throw them in the recycling bin. Recycling wrapping paper and gift boxes in the bin will reduce the amount of landfills we have and carbon emissions released into the atmosphere. One ton of paper is equivalent to 17 trees (which take in up to 250 pounds of CO2 emitted).
LED holiday lights
Or solar-powered lights with a timer that turns off automatically, so you don’t forget! These lights last longer and are more energy-efficient than your traditional holiday lights. LED lights are proven to save up to 75% of energy (saving money) and they last 25 times longer. Not only that, but they are safer to use as they don’t overheat as much as traditional holiday lights and the same lights could still be used for the next 40 holidays!
Gift an experience
Due to the COVID pandemic, our experiences are limited. But it doesn’t have to stop us from doing things, as long as we stay safe, social distance, and plan ahead. There are so many ideas that can be gifted that don’t need to be thrown in the trash like gift cards, gift certificates, future concerts, or maybe even a gym membership to a place that requires social distancing!
Reusable bags
Going Christmas shopping? Instead of the store giving you plastic to carry your items in, opt in for buying a reusable bag or bringing your own! Plastic is harmful to the environment as well as to us and animals. They contain chemicals that are absorbed by our bodies and especially the environment, where they can be sink into our groundwater! Not only that, but plastic can be ingested, injure and poison marine life.
Gift used or thrifted items
Also, part of the 3 Rs, reusing! There are many like-new or brand-new items you can find thrifting! And if anything, a lot of people love vintage items, especially if you score on a rare one. Stores like Goodwill or Texas Thrift offer a variety of them, but there are also online stores that sell secondhand items like Poshmark, Craigslist or eBay. In this way, waste is decreased and the demand for manufactured items decreases, which means less money and less energy for companies to emit!
DIY
“Do it yourself”- it’s more heartfelt, you know what’s going in, and you can buy it in bulk, making it less expensive! There are so many creative ideas, especially ones to promote health and safety. One DIY idea is a COVID safety kit, like medicine, thermometers, vitamins, and masks! Another one to promote health can be a workout kit, where resistance bands, jump ropes, sweat towels, mats, and more are included!
Invest in an actual tree
Investing in an actual tree saves you from buying an artificial one that’s traveled thousands of miles, emitting carbon emissions, and made with harmful chemicals since they are made from plastic and dyes. Cutting down a real tree may sound bad, but they are grown specifically for holiday festivities. Buying a real tree keeps local tree growers’ businesses going and they are also recyclable and compostable, meaning they can go back into the earth to make new life!
Organic and locally grown food
An eco-friendly way to have a holiday dinner, this is a way you can reduce you and your family’s carbon foot-prints. Buying produce close to home, instead of one that travels thousands of miles away uses less energy and releases fewer carbon emissions. Not only that, but most local farmers grow produce and meat that are sustainable, and by buying from them you are supporting small/ local businesses, especially if they have been hit hard by the pandemic.
Reusable dishes and utensils
Reduce your carbon footprint and landfill waste by using your regular, at-home glass, ceramic, or reusable dishes and utensils. You will be saving yourself the trouble of filling up your trash with plastic that will later be thrown in the landfill and make its way to harming marine life and the environment.
Going for a walk
Instead of going for a drive, which also contributes to pollution, try going for a walk. You can enjoy a breath of fresh air and get some exercise after that hearty, holiday meal. The best part is, you do not have to do it alone and the Christmas lights are out, so you can spend time with your family, admire the lights, and support sustainability!
