When people think of the holidays, they often recall images of Santa's red velvet bag stuffed to the brim with gifts, but a black plastic bag crammed with trash might provide a more accurate depiction.
Americans produce a lot of waste, but the holidays are a particularly trashy time of year. In fact, Americans produce about 25% more trash than usual between Thanksgiving and New Year's.
That extra waste amounts to about 1 million additional tons of garbage going into landfills each week during that time.
For a visual of just how much that is, the number of Christmas cards sold in the U.S. each year could fill a football field 10 stories high. The amount of ribbon that would be saved if each family used two fewer feet would be enough to tie a giant bow around the entire planet.
This might go without saying, but all that waste does not bode well for our environment — whether we're cutting down more trees for wrapping paper or dumping it into landfills to break down into potentially harmful chemicals or microplastics.
So in the holiday spirit of giving, give your dumpsters and landfills a break, and follow these tips on how to cut back on waste this holiday season.
Gift Giving
When trying to conjure up that perfect gift for friends and family, think experiences: tickets to a concert, a relaxing spa day, a museum outing or membership. Those are the things that make memories (not mountains of trash).
And if you are really feeling like earning some points for the nice list, think about planting a tree or making a charitable donation to an environmental group as a gift.
You might also consider re-gifting. Not in a "get it off your hands" sort of way, but if you have an article of clothing or home accessory that your loved one has always admired, that could make for a gift that has extra special meaning.
And if you are going out to do some shopping, make sure you bring your own reusable bags (they aren't just meant for grocery shopping) or ask for paper ones (which you can reuse for wrapping, see below) to cut down on plastic.
Gift Wrapping
Now when it comes to actually presenting those gifts, that is one of the bigger ways to cut back on waste. Wrapping paper is often used once, as are bows and ribbons, before being shoved in trash bags.
Instead, try to save and reuse ribbons and bows where possible. As for the wrapping paper, try using pages from a newspaper — the comic sections are particularly colorful -- or magazines for the smaller items. If you can't resist the penguin-patterned paper, then try to make sure you are buying rolls made from recycled paper.
Better yet, forgo the wrapping paper altogether and use decorative boxes, tins and baskets that can be reused year after year. Or incorporate it as part of the gift.
And when it comes to all those holiday cards that are purchased each year — more than 2 billion — look for ones made of recycled paper, and that can be recycled yet again. In other words, avoid ones with foil coatings or a glossy finish.
Festive Feasting
Food waste is a problem year round, and the holidays are no different. Americans threw out the equivalent of 6 million turkeys — worth about $293 million — over Thanksgiving in 2017, according to environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council.
So when preparing for holiday feasts, make sure to get an accurate count of who will be coming, what they're craving and how big of eaters they usually are. Also make sure to shop your fridge and pantry first so you are not buying more of something you already have.
If you want to err on the side of having too much, rather than too little, be prepared with enough containers to send guests home with leftovers, or ask them in advance to bring their own.
Also check with your local food banks — which often will take leftover fruits and vegetables or other food items that haven't been cooked — or consider composting. You can sign up for several services around the city to pick up your scraps and compost them for you.
As for the vessel, try to avoid paper plates unless they are compostable, meaning without the waxy coating. Most plastic cutlery also is difficult to recycle. So if it's possible, try to keep it classy and bring out the nice plates and silverware that can be washed and put back in cupboard.
Deck the Halls
When it comes to trees, the question is always to go fake or real, cut or live.
Both artificial and real trees can be good options, but with some caveats. While cut trees are beautiful, they ultimately end up in the landfill. So, if choosing a real tree, try to find a live one and replant it in your yard. Make sure to ask a local nursery which trees are best in your area.
Artificial trees can also be a good option, but make sure you get one that is made to last. It doesn't do any good if you are tossing them out every year and getting a new one each holiday.
Call IndyStar reporter Sarah Bowman at 317-444-6129 or email at sarah.bowman@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @IndyStarSarah. Connect with IndyStar’s environmental reporters: Join The Scrub on Facebook.
IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
"Trash" - Google News
December 02, 2019 at 06:00PM
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Americans produce 25% more trash during the holidays. These tips might help. - IndyStar
"Trash" - Google News
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