Americans generate 25% more waste between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than the rest of the year! Between family gatherings, traveling, and gift-giving, we consume a lot of resources. There are small actions we can all take to reduce the impact our holiday festivities have on the environment, such as shopping smart and properly disposing of the waste we generate.
Make One Big Shopping Trip
Whether you’re shopping in-person or online, try to purchase all your gifts from one store to cut down on deliveries and trips to the mall. Making one large purchase reduces the amount of material used to package orders and reduces emissions from excess driving and deliveries. You are also likely to save on shipping costs or qualify for free shipping by making a larger purchase instead of placing multiple smaller orders.
Make a List
…and check it twice! Making a list of friends and family members you need to find gifts for is an easy way to avoid over-shopping. Being intentional about what you buy for someone can help you avoid impulse buying any eye-catching items you see at stores and prevent unnecessary waste.
Consolidate Shipping Orders
Some stores, like Amazon, Target, and Macy’s, will offer incentives for customers who choose no-rush shipping which defaults to having all their items delivered in one box. This reduces shipping materials and deliveries to your address, saving resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Choose Virtual Gifts
Instead of giving a physical gift, opt for a virtual one. Virtual gifts are a sustainable alternative to physical gifts because they use fewer resources and eliminate the need for physical packaging and shipping. Gift cards and gift experiences, like visiting a museum, going to a concert, or getting a massage, are great gift options for the people who “have everything.”
Shop Vintage and Thrifted
Buying secondhand helps reduce the environmental impact of producing and transporting new goods. Whether it’s clothing or household goods, buying secondhand means brand-new items don’t need to be sourced, transported, produced, and shipped, reducing emissions and saving natural resources.
Don’t Be Swayed by “Good Deals”
Don’t shop impulsively! You may see the “Now 30% off!” sign and think you have to have it right now. Before being convinced that this is the best deal, take some time to ask yourself if you actually need it or if you’re just buying it because it’s a “good deal.”
Select Email/Text Receipts at Checkout
Looking for more ways to cut down on waste? Ditch the slip and choose the “text or email receipt” option at checkout! Digital receipts will also be easier to find if you need to return or exchange an item later.
Properly Dispose of Your Shipping Materials
Online shopping is convenient, but it comes with a lot of shipping waste. Cardboard boxes can accumulate faster than your trash and recycling is collected so make sure to flatten the boxes before putting them in your recycling bin. Styrofoam, bubble wrap, and plastic mailers should never be put in your curbside recycling bin. Plastic bags and film can get caught in the sorting machines at recycling facilities, which can break the machinery or temporarily shut down operations.
Donate Used Clothing
Are you buying new clothes for yourself or your kids? Give your gently used textiles a second life by donating them! Less than 15% of textiles are reused or recycled in the United States, leaving 85% to be landfilled or incinerated. Check out this blog to learn more about how to recycle and donate your used clothing.
Recycle Your Old Electronics
Upgrading your phone or replacing an electric toothbrush? Devices containing rechargeable lithium batteries should never be placed in your curbside recycling bin as they can cause fires at recycling facilities. Instead, check with your city or waste hauler for local recycling programs and view the Texas Electronic Recycling Programs to learn about computer and TV recycling options. For more information about what to do with your used batteries, read this blog.
Looking for more ways to be sustainable this holiday season? Check out our blogs about green gifting and sustainable gift wrapping!
