Wrap It Up: Celebrate the Holidays Without the Waste

The holiday season brings a dramatic increase in household waste, with the EPA estimating a 25% jump between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

The holiday season brings joy, celebration — and a massive surge in household waste. But this year can be different. With thoughtful planning and simple switches, we can celebrate while treading more lightly on our planet. Start where you’re comfortable. For beginners, simply saving gift bags you receive this season will make a difference. More experienced waste reducers might set up a complete wrapping station for the whole family or start a neighborhood holiday supplies and gift exchange. Every step reduces waste.

Beginner: Easy First Steps

• Save gift bags and boxes you receive to reuse next year
• Recycle cardboard boxes
• Compost paper packaging
• Choose paper gift wrap instead of metallic or glitter varieties
• Remove ribbons and bows before composting wrapping paper
• Keep one bag for reusable gift wrap items

That’s it! These six simple practices will immediately reduce your holiday waste. Here’s a quick test…