The holiday season is very close, with Christmas being tomorrow. The thoughts of candy canes, cookies, ornaments, decorations, and presents dance in the air. Along with the holiday cheer comes added waste. Americans throw away 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s as compared to the rest of the year. This extra waste amounts to 1.2 million tons per week. Although this time of year produces so much waste, there are ways to help reduce the amount and help the environment.

Here are 8 ways to make the holiday season greener:
1. Consider no-waste gifts such as music or sports lessons, gym memberships, or concert tickets
2. Buy products made from recycled or organic content
3. Purchase vintage clothing or accessories from consignment or second hand stores
4. Give potted plants, flowers, or trees
5. When shopping, bring reusable cloth bags
6. Make your own wrapping paper by using old maps, posters, newspapers, or magazines
7. Use email for holiday greetings, photos, and letters
8. When entertaining, use washable utensils, plates, glasses, napkins, and table coverings. You can also send leftovers home with guests in reusable containers or donate them to local shelters or soup kitchens

By using a little imagination and putting in some effort, we can all contribute to a greener holiday season and hopefully reduce the amount of waste we produce during that time.

Merry Christmas!!