The holidays are a time of year that many people look forward to. However, this is also a time when we often consume more than necessary and feel like we cannot keep up with the demand of events and obligations. This blog post will give some tips on how to stay sustainable during the holiday season by getting into the spirit without overdoing it!
Purchase Energy-Saving LED Holiday Lights
The holiday season is a notorious time for the use of lighting. If you are going to be using lights, it is best to get LED lights because they use up to 80% less energy than incandescent lightbulbs and can last ten times longer! You can also find LEDs in various color options, including red, green, blue, pink, yellow and orange.
Get a Pesticide-Free Tree
Another way to stay sustainable during the holiday season is to get a pesticide-free tree to avoid the harmful chemicals that would otherwise be ingested during the holidays. If you must buy an artificial one, make sure it is labeled as such or check with the seller on how they were made and if they contain any toxins. It might also be a good idea to keep pets away from the tree because artificial trees are often treated with chemicals that could be harmful to them.
Recycle Old Cellphones or Tablets
Another sustainable alternative is to buy after-holiday presents instead of giving gifts that will be wasteful for the recipient to discard. You can also recycle old gifts by gifting them back to friends or donate time at a local charity in exchange for something useful like food or services like haircuts.
Recycle Your Christmas Tree
Did you know that Christmas trees typically take six years to decompose? If you are going to put up a real one this year, make sure to recycle it after the New Year. You can use it in your compost pile, dump it at a recycling center or take it to a drop-off location in your city. If you live near an organic recycling center, they can also use the tree as mulch.
Donate Time or Money to an Environmental Cause
Another way to make the holidays more sustainable is to donate time or money to an environmental cause. This allows you to give back and help others while showing people that you care about the environment and want everyone to be as sustainable as possible. Be on the lookout for organizations like community gardens, urban farms, food pantries, homeless shelters, and tree planting programs that could use some help.