Smart ways to reduce waste during the holidays
Leftover turkey isn't the only thing you need to figure out what to do with after the holidays. With the holiday period comes piles of discarded wrapping paper, gift boxes and bags, delivery boxes, and we're left with buldging recycling bins come December 26. Instead of sending all of that packaging to landfill, we’ve come up with some simple tips to help you have your mosts sustainable Christmas yet!
1. Nix the wrapping paper.
We know there is something magical about wrapping gifts in beautifully designed holiday paper. However, an enormous amount of paper waste is generated each holiday season from gift wrap alone. Instead, get creative with using a holiday blanket and fabric ribbon, tuck small gifts into a new pair of socks, or use reusable bags and boxes. If attending a holiday party with a gift exchange, make a rule to wrap your gift in anything BUT wrapping paper (and that’s reusable)! Laughs guaranteed. Another tip? Save and reuse those ribbons and bows year after year.
2. Replace your throw-away holiday party supplies with the real thing. Plastic cutlery and cups, paper tablecloths and napkins, throw-away to-go containers - who needs ‘em? Get fancy (or old school?) and use glass, metal, ceramic, and fabric products that can all be washed and reused next year. It may require a little more cleanup, but many helping hands make for light work, as they say!
3. Delivery boxes on top of delivery boxes! As a brand that sells online, we ship our products all over the country just like many other corporations and online shopping platforms, which unfortunately contributes to waste. Recycle as many delivery materials as possible, from cardboard boxes to plastic protective packaging.
4. Reduce electronic waste wherever possible. A great way to reduce holiday energy consumption is to switch to LED holiday lights. They’re safer, use less energy, and are more durable and long-lasting than their older incandescent counterparts. When upgrading, recycle your old or broken lights safely, as well as recycle any other electronics you may be receiving as gifts or replacing from holiday sales (computers, cell phones, tablets, etc). Our Solar String Lights are a great, sustainable way to light your backyard trees!
5. Gift experiences over “things” (or fewer things). Building memories with friends and family can often be more special than receiving material things and can also cut down on waste. Ideas might be tickets to a show or event, a relaxing spa treatment, classes to learn a new language or hobby, playing a group game instead of hosting a gift exchange at your gathering, or giving time, items, or funds to a good cause. If you’d still rather give or receive a material item, there are great sustainable and reusable gift ideas from Certified B Corporations - like MPOWERD’s Luci lights!
