Embrace an Eco-Friendly Christmas

IAs we gear up for the holiday season, it can be helpful to pause to consider the choices we make as consumers. It’s easy to be persuaded to buy more and consume more in the name of creating a celebration.  Along with spending more money, studies show that most people produce up to 30% more waste during the holiday season. Now might be the time to think about helping your loved ones move toward a more sustainable holiday season.  

Consider products that contribute to a healthier environment.  Such as:

– House plants or indoor herb gardens

•         Metal drinking straws

•         To-go kits for your car (real cutlery rolled up in fabric napkins)

•         Stainless steel kitchen composter

– Bamboo toothbrush

•         Organic skin care products (buy or make your own)

•         Soy or beeswax candles

•         Food wrap alternatives to single-use plastic

•         Reusable shopping and produce bags

•         Reusable beverage bottles

One of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to shop locally and search for gifts that are locally sourced.  You can also avoid waste altogether by exploring other ways of giving such as:

•         Creating memories:   tickets to events, memberships, and experiences.

•         Giving your time and talent:  share your skills or services, make handicrafts, make home-baked treats

•         Paying it Forward:  make a donation in their name

If you do purchase gifts, consider making ethical and organic purchasing decisions.  Try to find alternatives to products that are cheaply made and produced in unethical conditions.  These could include:

•         Fair Trade Handicrafts

•         Fair Trade Coffee & Tea

•         Handmade items

•         Home baked goodies

•         Eco-friendly apparel (Tentree plants ten trees for every item sold and is a Canadian company)

•         Still need more ideas?  Check out https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/your-guide-green-holidays/

Lastly, consider the impact of the wrapping and packaging of your gifts as well.  Avoid using plastic, metallic or foil wraps because they cannot be recycled or composted.  Instead, try using:

•         non-glossy gift wrap, plain craft paper, newspaper

•         fabric bags, scarves, or fabric scraps

•         reusable gift bags or boxes

The holidays should be a time of joy and celebration.  Fortunately, there are many ways to celebrate that don’t create excess strain on our planet.