Each year, millions of families contribute to extreme amounts of waste during the holiday season. From single use products such as gift wrap and cards to plastic waste from the packaging of products that are being gifted, many people’s Christmas celebrations are not great for the planet. Saving the planet might not be as easy as undergoing minimally invasive procedures from The Bunion Cure, but it is possible when each person makes an effort to be as environmentally conscious as possible. Keep reading to learn a few simple yet effective eco-friendly tips for having a sustainable holiday.
1. Invest in Sustainable Gift Wrap
Single use wrapping paper is one of the most wasteful products on the market every holiday season. Do your part to reduce waste by investing in sustainable wrapping paper, which is often made from recycled or reusable materials. To save yourself a bit of money, you can also use your own household items such as newspaper, magazines, bandanas, and more to wrap gifts for your loved ones.
2. Make an Eco-Consious Meal
Your family’s holiday meal might be taking a negative toll on the environment without you even realizing it. Make your meal more sustainable by using ingredients that are sourced locally, or take things a step further and have a plant-based Christmas meal. By switching out your meat and dairy products for plant-based alternatives, you are doing your part to reduce harmful emissions caused by the meat and dairy industry. This might seem like no big deal, but reducing your consumption of these animal products is actually one of the best things you can do for the planet.
3. Use LED Lights
Typical Christmas lights use more energy than you might realize. Switching to LED bulbs can not only save you money on your monthly electricity bill, but they are better for the environment as well. Environmental experts report that if every household in America using traditional Christmas lights switched to an LED option, near 2 billion kWh of electricity could be saved each month.
4. Carpool to Family Celebrations
If you, like many others around the country, are planning on traveling to visit loved ones this holiday season, consider carpooling with others to avoid having everyone’s vehicles using fuel. This is not only better for the environment, but it is a great way for you and your loved ones to have additional time to bond and spend time together, which is what the holiday season is all about!
Article Submitted By Community Writer