The holiday season is here – a time for festive gatherings, delicious meals, and thoughtful gifts. But it’s also a season that can come with a lot of waste. This year, why not make the season of giving a little kinder to the planet?
With a few small changes, we can reduce waste, conserve resources, and keep the holidays as joyful as ever.
Here are some simple and effective tips for making this season a greener one!
 DID YOU KNOW? Average household waste increases by more than 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, resulting in about 1 million extra tons of waste each week across the U.S. |
1. Gift Wrapping: Get Creative! 🎁
Let’s ditch the traditional wrapping paper (usually only used once) and go for something unique:
Use scarves, tea towels, or reusable bags – These double as an extra gift!
Repurpose old maps, newspapers, or magazine pages for a quirky, colorful look.
Decorate with natural elements like pinecones, twine, and dried oranges.
Remember to RECYCLE your used wrapping paper (if it’s paper), but not tape, bows, or wrapping paper that has glitter or non-recyclable decorations.
2. Deck the Halls Sustainably 🌲
Holiday decor doesn’t have to be a landfill hazard! Go for items that last or can return to nature:
DIY ornaments with dried fruit, cinnamon sticks, or salt dough.
Use potted plants instead of cut flowers for decor – they’ll last way beyond the season.
Buy used decor, swap with friends, or shop local.
3. Green your table with less meat - and more plants!
Eating green doesn’t mean sacrificing holiday flavors! Cutting back on meat is a powerful way to reduce your carbon footprint. Try vegan recipes that’ll wow even the toughest critics:
Stuffed Acorn Squash – Roasted squash filled with quinoa, cranberries, and pecans. Perfect as a main dish or side, and oh-so-festive!
Vegan Eggnog – Blend up some almond milk, coconut milk, maple syrup, and spices.
See more vegan holiday recipes from Forks over Knives
4. Thoughtful and Sustainable Gift Ideas
This year, make gifting meaningful and eco-friendly! Here are some ideas to show you care for both loved ones and the planet:
Gifts of Experience – Give a memory rather than an item! Consider a cooking class, concert tickets, or a membership.
Homemade Treats & Crafts – Share your culinary or DIY talents with handmade gifts like jams, baked goods, or candles. These personal touches are unique and reduce packaging waste.
Shop Local and Fair Trade – Support small businesses and artisans by choosing locally-made or Fair Trade certified gifts. They’re thoughtful, often one-of-a-kind, and have a lower environmental impact. Check out holiday fairs in our area!
The High School Environmental Action Club Zero Waste Guide
Many products we use in our everyday lives are wasteful, harmful to the planet, and contain toxic chemicals that we don't want to be using. Giving the gift of a non-toxic zero-waste product to a friend, family member, or yourself, is now easy with our list of zero-waste, plastic-free products!
5. Food Waste: Make Every Bite Count 🍽️
Plan those holiday meals like a pro:
Only buy what you need. Check your recipes and pantry before heading to the store.
Get creative with leftovers! Turn them into soups, casseroles, or even a breakfast hash.
You can drop off food scraps in the green totes at the transfer station to be turned into clean energy! See the list of what can go in the bin.
Donate unopened extras to Yarmouth Food Pantry – everyone deserves a full plate this season. Check out the list of items they are looking for and drop off directions.
6. Mind the Cardboard and Plastic 🌎
Online shopping can leave us with a mountain of packaging. Here’s how to keep it minimal:
Consolidate orders to reduce packaging (and emissions).
Choose stores that use eco-friendly packaging or curbside pickup.
Reuse boxes for storing holiday decor, or better yet, gift them as upcycled gift-wrapping!
Let’s make this holiday season not just merry and bright but also green and light – on waste, that is! With these easy tips, you’ll be ringing in the new year knowing you’ve made a difference. 🎉 |
More Tips!
Using the holiday season to go through closets and tidy up for company? Consider donating coats, hats, and mittens for Operation Bundle-Up.
DID YOU KNOW? Yarmouth residents can bring Christmas trees to the transfer station at no cost, where they will be ground up and the chips processed into mulch products.
During the time of year we’re making more waste, make sure you refresh yourself of the recycling dos and don’ts for our community.
Still have questions about how to dispose of an item? Head to ecomaine’s Recyclopedia tool to search the database and get answers.