7. Give DIY Gifts
For gift giving, dive into DIY by making your own spirits, oils, baked goods, jams, canned goods, vinegars, heat pads, quilts, woodworking projects, and washcloths. You can get online and provide an electronic gift card instead of purchasing a plastic one at the store. When it’s time for wrapping, consider the waste too. Look around after any gift-giving events and you’ll find an abundance of discarded wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbons, bows, tissue paper, boxes, and other debris.
Thinking ahead will greatly reduce the task of cleaning up and the amount of waste that ends up in the trash. Basic wrapping paper that is void of sparkles, glitter, sequins, foil, artificial texture, sticky gift labels, or plastic is completely recyclable so pay attention when making your selection. Alternatively, use the Sunday comics, magazine pages, maps, or other paper sources.
For ribbons, skip the plastic curling ribbon and prefabbed plastic bows. Instead, grab a roll of real ribbon from the craft store and reuse it year after year. Similarly, you can avoid plastic ribbon waste by using natural materials such as jute, twine, burlap, fabric, or cotton. They are also reusable but will biodegrade once disposed of. Similarly, use paper gift bags that can be reused or recycled.
Avoid the waste altogether (even the recyclable kind) by using a scarf, piece of fabric, or cloth napkins to wrap gifts. Make the wrapping part of the gift by using a photo box, basket, beach bag, crate, or jar. Better yet, eliminate the need for wrapping with the gift of experiences by taking your friend to a concert, play, or out for a meal.
Decorating for a holiday should be fun, and there are many ways to incorporate meaningful and eco-friendly decor options. Go for a natural centerpiece such as a pine bough from your tree clippings or use gourds to embellish instead.
Rely on the classics like candles or flowers too. Avoid balloons, decorations with the year printed on them you will never use again, and single-use plastic tablecloths.
9. Use Real Dishware
A plethora of garbage, especially during holidays and celebrations, comes from single-use plates, silverware, cups, and napkins.
Although it involves doing the dishes once the party wraps up, using real dishware is one of the easiest ways to avoid a full garbage can. Dig out the good China or use every day plates. Skip the red Solo cups in favor of regular glassware.
It doesn’t have to be fancy! You can pick up plenty of plates and cups from thrift stores like Goodwill for very little money.
10. Reuse Materials
Think about ways you can get multiple uses out of what might otherwise look like garbage.
For example, thick shipping envelopes that can’t be recycled make a sturdy bag for scooped kitty litter. Use an old tire as a flowerbed. Turn a boot into a planter. Convert the materials from a torn-down shed into shabby chic porch furniture.
11. Join a Buy Nothing Community
The Buy Nothing Project was started by two friends in 2013. Rebecca Rockefeller and Liesl Clark wanted to create a gift economy, basically defined as giving away items one no longer wants or needs.
The Buy Nothing Movement spread through regional areas and across social media, connecting people wanting to give away household goods, garden-fresh food, vehicles, and anything else they had in abundance or no longer needed.
According to their website, “As of July 2021, the Buy Nothing Project has at least 4.25 million participants in 44 countries, with over 6,500 communities led by more than 13,000 volunteers.” This is a grass-roots movement with no financial backing, run completely by volunteers. That means over four million people are committed to following the guidelines of the Buy Nothing Project. This includes keeping groups hyper-local with strict geographical limitations in regard to who can join. Another principle is the belief in abundance. It’s a mindset that generates generosity.
Every member must agree to be respectful, honest, inclusive, and interact with integrity. Furthermore, gifting is at the foundation of the movement, so there is no buying, selling, trading, or bartering allowed. If there’s not already a group at your local level, start one! It’s a great way to connect with your neighbors in the spirit of giving, and it keeps countless items out of the landfill.
12. Stop Junk Mail
Contact companies sending product catalogs and request removal from the list. Similarly, eliminate credit card and insurance offers by visiting sites like OptOut or calling 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688).
Reducing your carbon footprint through more sustainable living means a healthier environment for us all.
