The holiday season is here. That means presents to buy, menus to plan, trees to decorate, sustainability to think about … wait, sustainability? What does that have to do with Christmas lights and gingerbread men?
A lot, actually.
In the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Americans throw out more garbage than they usually do, meaning a lot more trash ends up in landfills. As much as extra pounds of trash get thrown away every week during this period in between holidays. “But what about the Christmas spirit?” you may ask. Do we just stop our holiday traditions and gift one another toilet paper made from bamboo? While eco-friendly toilet paper is definitely a practical and sustainable gift, there are of more sustainable swaps for your holiday traditions that allow you to enjoy the season while being mindful of your environment.
For starters, wrapping paper. Now, I know you may be thinking that I will tell you not to use it. Actually, I suggest reusable or practical wrapping options. Perhaps instead of wrapping all your gifts in flashy paper that often uses unsustainable , making them nearly impossible to recycle, wrap them in a solid brown paper that’s easier on the environment. You can also use bags, which you can reuse year after year rather than just throwing them out. Even better, use other fabrics that can be regifted or repurposed instead of paper to wrap your presents!
Another much-loved holiday tradition is the Christmas tree. If you use a real tree, you can try one and then returning it to the company to replant and use for another holiday season. If that is not an option, try a potted tree that you can then replant in your backyard. If neither of these are available options, rather than throw away your tree, use it for firewood or mulch, and use the pine needles to brew tea! If you use a plastic tree, remember that plastic takes forever to decompose, so treat your tree well and try to use it for as long as possible. Also, consider using LED Christmas lights, as they are more sustainable.
As for gift shopping, try giving an experience rather than an actual gift. That way, you not only give something memorable but also avoid the unnecessary gifts that end up sitting in people’s closets for years (this is the fate of many a Christmas gift, so don’t think this year will be any different). Other practical and sustainable gift options include beeswax candles from a local business or reusable beeswax . Better yet, you can make gifts yourself, such as a scrapbook or a quilt, using materials you already have at home!
Regarding travel, I am not suggesting you travel away from home. After all, there is no place like home for the holidays! However, look into more sustainable travel options, such as carpooling or taking public transportation. If flying is a must, look into companies that attempt to minimize their carbon footprint or offer to plant .
And remember, sustainability should not be only for the holidays; the average American produced pounds of trash in 2018, according to the EPA. So this holiday season, let us celebrate not only our family, friends and the holiday spirit, but also this wonderful planet we have! After all, Christmas is the season of red and GREEN, so let's work together and make this holiday a little bit more green-friendly! Merry Christmas!
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of 老司机传媒. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, 老司机传媒 or the Seventh-day Adventist church.