Regardless of the occasion, almost every holiday has one thing in common: gathering with family and friends to share a great meal. However, do you ever consider the amount of additional waste produced during the winter holidays?
We produce an exponential amount of garbage between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, as in millions of tons. The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States says that between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, Americans throw away 25% more trash than at any other time of the year. The additional garbage amounts to 25 million tons or approximately 1 million additional tons per week!
There are, however, methods to reduce the quantity of half-eaten party platters, mountains of bubble wrap, and ribbons without compromising the holiday spirit. Here are some ideas for reducing waste during the holiday season.
1. Gift items that need little to no packaging
Consider spending the same amount of money on a single main present instead of purchasing several cheaper (and possibly short-lived) gifts for someone. It’s also better to draw for your gift exchange so you can buy a nicer item for a specific person. Here are some eco-friendly gift ideas:
● Gift cards. Examples are movie tickets, memberships, subscriptions, concert tickets, weekend getaways, gift certificates, or free massage tickets. Furthermore, they needn’t be wrapped in big boxes with fancy paper and ribbon. Just a simple envelope will do the trick.
● Pre-loved or unused items. Do you have anything brand-new or unopened that you know someone would absolutely enjoy? It’s fine to regift — assuming the gift seems okay for the receiver. You can also give some of your favorite things to someone you care about.
● Basket of baked goods, fruits, or vegetables. Rather than giving toys or whatever other things that will simply wind up in the garbage when harmed, it is smarter to offer different things made with affection.
2. Use recycled or recyclable wrappers
Now that your gift is set, the next thing you need is to wrap it. Believe it or not, paper mills are unable to use wrapping and tissue paper, making it unsuitable for recycling. Therefore, it is recommended to use the following instead of store-bought wrapping paper:
● Scraps of fabric, such as those used in the Japanese gift-wrapping tradition, or any old yet presentable cloth
● Reusable shopping totes
● Recycled or recyclable gift wrap and gift bags
● Eco-friendly string ties, ribbons, and bows
3. Reduce Food Waste this Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time to cook festive dishes, prepare lavish meals for our family, and bake candies, cakes, and other treats for us to enjoy. Even if you have spent the entire year reducing your use of plastic, reducing your consumption of red meat, and reducing your use of water, you will likely waste food this Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. So, how can we cut down on food waste? Avoiding food waste can be accomplished in the following ways:
● Instead of over-preparing your meal, aim to prepare “just enough”
● Encourage relatives and friends to carry leftovers home with them
● You may enjoy the leftovers by keeping them in the freezer to eat in the coming months
● Look for “Christmas leftover recipes” online for more ideas
The key is to prepare ahead of time, come up with innovative ideas, and prevent waste from occurring at all. Make avoiding food waste your personal act of conservation and maybe your resolution this new year.
4. Learn how to dispose of Christmas trees and decorations
After the holidays, it’s time to take down the Christmas tree. Before removing a real tree, take off all ornaments, tinsel, and other decorations. You can do private trash pickup from your solid waste expulsion organization, and they’ll assist you with your Christmas tree disposal. However, if you have an artificial tree, consider donating it to a local thrift store if you’re ready to part with it. Better still, if you have purchased a living evergreen from your neighborhood gardening store and the roots are still intact, plant it!
5. Segregate your trash properly
During the holiday season, not only does the amount of waste produced rise but so does the amount of non-recyclable items that enter the recycling stream. The holiday season brings additional packaging. Before recycling, packaging materials must be separated, including plastic, cardboard, strings, and zip ties. For instance, before recycling a toy that comes packaged in cardboard and plastic, separate the two materials.
Learn more Tips to Improve Waste Management at Home
For holiday pickup times, Contact Troupe Waste and Recycling
If your holiday waste is still piling up despite your best effort, contact your local waste collection service provider. Inquire whether they will pick up your additional trash and recycling throughout the Christmas season.
You can contact Troupe and Waste Recycling. Our curbside garbage pickup is available to assist you in properly disposing of and recycling waste throughout the holiday season. You can reach us from anywhere in Abington, Massachusetts. Leave the holiday waste management to us and enjoy the holiday season with your loved ones.
Call 781-340-0030 today to schedule a garbage pickup over the holiday season!
