Happy Sustainable Holidays!
This time of the year is quite exciting. However, it can also be quite wasteful. With excessive feasting, decorating, and gifting, it is no surprise that waste increases by 25% for the average American during the holidays. To avoid adding to the stress of wastefulness this holiday season, here are some tips and ideas to be more sustainable for the most beautiful time of the year!
Wrapping - Unfortunately, wrapping paper is NOT recyclable, so here are other wrapping ideas to spread your holiday cheer without stuffing your dumpster:
Use alternative materials - get creative! You can use an old tote bag, make a tote bag out of a t-shirt, or even wrap your gift with a newspaper or a beautiful picture from an old calendar. You can also stuff your tote bag with magazine pages instead of tissue.
Use paper tape if necessary.
Making holiday treats? Instead of wrapping food items in plastic wrap, opt for reusable containers! You can get creative and decorate mason jars to place them in or buy reusable holiday tins from the dollar store. Your friends will love the treats and your creativity for the packaging they can reuse repeatedly!
Gift Ideas
Buy “vintage” items! Vintage is much better accepted than the words “used” or “from a thrift shop.” And don’t forget to refuse plastic bags by bringing your reusable ones!
Shop with Certified Nevada Green Business via the online Gift Guide.
Splurge on memories, not materials. Buy tickets to the museum, the spa, a movie, gift cards to a restaurant, and concert tickets. The possibilities are endless!
Want to make someone a gift this year? There are endless ways to create fun and beautiful gifts on a budget. You can find recipes to make lotions, soaps, scrubs, and THOUSANDS of DIY gift ideas online.
Decorations - half the fun during the holidays is the decorating!
Artificial trees are one option and can be reused for many years. If you opt for a real tree, be sure to recycle it with KTMB!
Did your holiday lights burn out? This year you can also drop off those burnt-out lights and your Christmas Tree to recycle at any of the three volunteer-staffed drop-off locations; Bartley Ranch, Reno Sports Complex, or Shadow Mountain Sports Complex. You can also recycle them at Western Metals Recycling in Sparks! You can call them at 775-358-8880.
Consider buying a real tree that can be replanted after the holiday season. Potted trees you plan to plant outside should be kept indoors for a maximum of ten days and gradually returned to outside temperatures.
Opt for “vintage” ornaments or decorations you can make from recycled or natural materials.
Keep decor items organic and natural. Things such as hemp, burlap, 100% organic cotton, pinecones, tree branches, and gourds are all compostable.
Hang fresh mint up for a pseudo “mistletoe,” and use the dried mint later for tea.
Happy Holidays from the Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful family!
