Your Guide to a Sustainable Holiday Season

Here's to being Merry and Sustainable this Holiday Season!

Tis the season for jolly and cheer, for family time and sweets! Unfortunately, it is also the season for single-use wrapping paper waste and carbon-producing Christmas trees. Fortunately you don't have to be a grinch to be eco-friendly. There are many small changes you can make to turn your holiday into a sustainable one! Read on for 6 easy ideas to keeping spirits high and single use plastic consumption low!

1. Light up with LED

I'd be a hypocrite to tell you to give up holiday lights all together. I mean, lights are fun! Who doesn't love watching a classic movie in the company of a lit up tree. And I'd certainly be lying if I said I didn't take pride in watching people slow down their cars as they pass my house to take in my holiday display. That said, I recognize the drain light decorations are on electricity generation and so I make the conscious decision to only use LED lights which are roughly 80% more energy efficient. I also make sure to plug everything into a timer to save energy by keeping them off when no one is awake.

2. Wrap Wisely

3. Recycle your Tree

Many cities offer services to pick up your tree after the holidays to recycle your tree, turning them into mulch or wood chips. Alternatively, if you miss the pick up date, trees are 100% compostable. Just cut your up as small as you can and throw it in yours, or your neighborhood compost bin!

4. BYOCM: Bring your own Christmas Mugs

I understand, and have even participated, in the excitement that is Starbuck's yearly holiday cup reveal. However there are thousands of cute, holiday travel mugs out there. Ones that won't end up in a landfill, or worse-- the ocean, after a single use. So why not enjoy your peppermint mocha sustainably and bring your own holiday mug! Holiday mugs would also make a great present. Check out shops like Etsy to support small businesses.

5. Shop Small and Local

I know half the fun of the holiday season is giving, but wouldn't it be extra fun to give a gift that gave back to local artisans, helped keep a mom and pop shop alive, and was good for the environment. Shopping at small, local stores are also more environmentally friendly. Shopping locally cuts down on processing, packaging, and transportation wastes that might be associated with ordering someone online.

6. Offset your Holiday Travel

Traveling is wonderful! Who doesn't love visiting new places, learning new cultures, and trying new cuisines! Traveling has a special appeal during the holiday season when you have some time off of work and can escape the cold for a nice tropical vacation! Unfortunately, traveling, especially by airplane, is a huge contributor of greenhouse gas emissions. Good news is there are many companies that allow you to offset your carbon footprint! Some airlines give you the option of investing in carbon offsets through their websites. If not, a quick internet search will show that there are tons of companies who do this as well. These companies typically work to plant trees, or restore habitats that serve as carbon sinks. Some reputable companies include CarbonFund and Sustainable Travel International.