The holiday season is a time of joy, generosity, and — unfortunately — excessive waste. From shiny wrapping paper and plastic packaging to party leftovers and decorations, our celebrations can take a serious toll on the planet.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. In this article, you’ll learn how to enjoy the holidays sustainably, with smart tips to reduce, reuse, and recycle — without losing any of the festive spirit.
Why Holiday Waste Is a Real Problem
During the holidays, household waste can increase by 25% or more, including:
- Single-use gift wrap
- Disposable dinnerware
- Packaging from online shopping
- Food waste
- Decorations that are used once, then tossed
Most of this ends up in landfills — much of it unnecessarily.
1. Choose Recyclable (or Reusable) Gift Wrap
Not all wrapping paper can be recycled.
🛑 Avoid:
- Glittery or metallic wrapping paper
- Foil gift bags
- Plastic bows and ribbons
- Laminated finishes
✅ Choose:
- Plain kraft paper
- Newspaper or old maps
- Recycled gift wrap
- Fabric wraps (Furoshiki style)
- Reusable gift bags and boxes
Tip: Do the “scrunch test” — if the paper stays scrunched, it’s recyclable.
2. Recycle Holiday Cards the Smart Way
Greeting cards are beautiful but often contain non-recyclable materials.
✅ Recyclable:
- Plain paper cards without embellishments
🛑 Not recyclable:
- Cards with glitter, metallic ink, plastic coatings, or musical components
What to do:
- Choose digital cards for low-waste greetings
- Save paper cards for future craft projects or decorations
3. Manage Packaging from Online Orders
Online shopping peaks during the holidays — and so does packaging waste.
✅ Recyclable:
- Cardboard boxes (flattened)
- Brown kraft paper
- Padded paper mailers (check for plastic linings)
🛑 Trash:
- Plastic bubble mailers
- Foam peanuts (unless reused)
- Plastic wrapping and air pillows
Tip: Reuse boxes for storage, re-shipping, or crafts.
4. Decorate with Sustainability in Mind
Avoid buying plastic or single-use decorations when possible.
✅ Try:
- Natural elements: pinecones, dried oranges, branches
- DIY garlands made from recycled paper or fabric
- LED lights (long-lasting and energy-efficient)
- Secondhand decorations from thrift stores or swaps
Pack and store decorations carefully so they can be reused year after year.
5. Recycle Old or Broken Lights and Electronics
If you’re replacing lights or upgrading gadgets:
- Take broken string lights to electronics or holiday light recycling programs (many hardware stores offer this)
- Recycle electronics through certified e-waste centers
- Donate working items to charities or shelters
🛑 Do not toss electronics or lights in the trash — they contain valuable and hazardous materials.
6. Rethink Holiday Meals and Food Waste
Holidays often mean too much food, which turns into waste.
✅ Plan:
- Serve what you need — not excess
- Send guests home with leftovers
- Freeze extras for later
✅ Compost:
- Vegetable peels
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells
- Bread scraps
🛑 Don’t compost:
- Meat, dairy, or oily foods (unless you use a special composting system)
7. Label Bins Clearly at Gatherings
If you’re hosting a holiday event, set up clearly labeled stations:
- Recyclables
- Compost
- Trash
Use signs with icons and arrows to help guests sort properly. This simple step can dramatically reduce contamination and make cleanup easier.
8. Give Greener Gifts
The best gifts don’t come with waste.
🎁 Try gifting:
- Experiences (tickets, memberships, classes)
- Digital subscriptions
- Homemade items (baked goods, crafts)
- Reusable items (bottles, bags, containers)
- Charitable donations in someone’s name
You’ll reduce packaging and support more meaningful giving.
9. Store and Reuse What You Can
After the holidays, don’t rush to throw things out.
✅ Save:
- Gift bags, tissue paper, boxes, bows
- Holiday cards for crafts
- Extra food (freeze or repurpose)
Set up a “Holiday Storage Box” with reusable items for next year.
Celebrate the Season, Not the Waste
Holidays should leave you with warm memories — not overflowing bins. With a few mindful changes, you can celebrate joyfully and sustainably.
Because giving to the planet is the gift that truly keeps on giving.