The holiday season is known for its festive spirit and, unfortunately, its significant environmental footprint. According to a recent release from the Office of Sustainability, Austinite households traditionally discard more than 12,500 tons of holiday decorations and 141,525 tons of food packaging, adding up to an avalanche of waste that ends in landfills each year. Moreover, 30,000 tons of holiday cards contribute to this seasonal surge of waste.
To curb these numbers, the Office of Sustainability encourages residents to rethink their holiday habits. Simple actions, such as gifting intentionally, can have a large impact. They suggest asking directly for wish lists or considering non-material gifts as a means to reduce needless purchases. For wrapping gifts, the traditional paper is out - wrapping paper largely isn't recyclable because of its coating, and many end up tossing it out without a second thought. The advice is to save and reuse what you can and go for fabric wraps that can serve multiple holidays.
When decking the halls, the sustainability watchdogs advise to first utilize what's already owned before heading to the shops. Thrift stores can be a treasure trove for eco-friendly decorations, offering a second life to holiday items without the need for brand-new materials. When it comes to the centerpiece of many homes – the iconic holiday tree – the recommendation is to go for the real deal. A potted tree that can continue to grow brings a deeper shade of green to the festive season, in a literal and environmental sense.
Energy-efficient LED lights also make the cut on the list for a greener holiday, using significantly less energy and lasting substantially longer than traditional bulbs. In the kitchen, the message is clear: to significantly minimize food waste, buy only what's needed, and creatively use leftovers. And for those stockings that are all too often stuffed with forgettable plastics, the push is to instead fill them with homemade goodies and meaningful items that don't just figuratively, but literally, leave a better taste in the mouth.
The Office of Sustainability encourages donating to charity instead of giving gifts, especially for those struggling to find the right one. After the holidays, Austinites are urged to recycle their trees, which can be turned into mulch for community areas, supporting sustainability.
