For example, instead of ribbon, use compostable twine or twine with slits in it, such as holly twigs, eucalyptus clippings, or fir branches. It has a rustic look that you can wrap things in well beforehand. Or, just before handing out the presents, try adding something less hardy, like flowers or berries.
Don’t forget the tape!
The last thing you want to do is mess up all these adjustments by using standard plastic tape that can’t be recycled. Sellotape now offers a plastic-free version of its famous tape that is 100 percent plant-based and fully compostable. Alternatively, consider paper-based options such as washi tape. They often have beautiful patterns and are useful for making plain brown paper fashionable.
Should I send fewer cards or go digital?
If you have a family that loves holiday cards, it can be hard to break the habit, but with approximately 2.65 billion Christmas cards sold each year in the U.S., send one card at a time. That’s 50,000 cubic yards of paper saved. , according to Stanford University.
We now have great digital options to send to friends and family via email, completely eliminating waste and allowing us to send something at the last moment when it’s too late to mail it. For greater environmental benefits, all of you should make a special effort to talk with your loved ones beforehand about taking the digital path.
If you can’t bear to break a family tradition, choose your card as carefully as you choose your wrapping paper. Avoid anything with glitter or foil stamping, and look for cards that say they are recyclable. Even better, look out for products made from post-consumer recycled materials. You can also purchase cards with embedded seeds that you can plant.
Of course, you can only control the cards you send out. If you receive a card that can’t be recycled, consider keeping the card, cutting it out, and reusing the holiday symbol part as a gift label next year.
If you have a real Christmas tree, go for it
Although it may seem counterintuitive, real trees are only used once before being thrown away, but they produce less waste than artificial trees. That’s because real wood, if disposed of correctly, is completely recyclable and can be used for firewood, wood chips, compost, and more.
Fake trees, on the other hand, are made from non-recyclable materials and end up in landfills once the season for spreading Christmas cheer is over. The Carbon Trust estimates that artificial trees need to be reused seven to 20 times (depending on size) to offset the carbon emissions created by manufacturing, packaging, and shipping. When purchasing a real tree (if you haven’t already), be sure to purchase one that is locally grown. This is a more sustainable choice as it does not have to be transported far.
Let’s DIY decorations
The same rules apply when decorating your tree or house. No plastic or aluminum foil, and getting creative is the best way to reduce waste. For more great DIY ideas, head to YouTube. Filled with DIY tutorials for holiday decorations, including paper wreaths, hanging paper dreidels, salt dough ornaments, DIY Kwanzaa Kinara, and more. While these decorations may not hold up well in storage, they are completely recyclable and compostable once the holidays are over. In other words, you can consciously change the theme color every year.
You should avoid commercially available Christmas crackers (the type that pops open by pulling on both ends of a cardboard tube). Because they traditionally use shiny or glittery materials, they cannot be recycled in the same way as cards and wrapping paper. And that’s before you even think about the awful plastic gifts inside that usually end up in the trash almost immediately.
