I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas

The holidays are upon us, and even though it's a great time to celebrate it can also be a time of increased waste. Between wrapping paper, packing materials, cards, boxes and more, the amount of garbage can really pile up. Americans throw away about 25% more trash from Thanksgiving to New Year's, resulting in 25 million tons of trash. Of course some of it can (and absolutely should) be recycled, but what about searching for waste-free options to help keep the season green?

Here are some of our favorite ways to reduce, re-use and recycle your way through the New Year.

1. Wrapping Paper

Sure, the rolls of glittery paper are absolutely beautiful, and look lovely underneath a tree, but unless you're someone that meticulously saves wrapping paper from year to year, its a huge waste! Instead, consider using something different.

Magazines make excellent gift wrap, especially if you collage three or four pages together to create a unique print. The paper is recyclable, and is something you likely have around the house. Get creative with it! Mix newspapers with glossy pages, and even cut strips into narrow bands to make your own bows.

Re-usable tins and bags are also excellent ideas, since you can repurpose them over and over. Tins can be purchased from thrift stores or for very little money at 99 Cent stores. Avoid holiday-specific motifs to keep them relevant year round, or consider doing a tin swap with friends.

If you can't resist holiday paper, look for rolls that are made of recycled materials and be sure to either save or recycle it at the end of the season.

2. Holiday Cards

It's always wonderful to send friends and loved ones holiday greetings, but cards create so much excess waste. There are plenty of ways to send messages of cheer without crowding a landfill.

Consider e-cards. These are waste-free and can be personalized any way you'd like. There are tons of free services that will send these for you, or you can spend a couple of hours putting together your very own card in Photoshop and emailing it out. The time and attention you put into the card will not go unnoticed.

If you are purchasing cards, look for ones that are made from recycled materials. Avoid super glossy, glittery, embellished cards, which cannot be recycled. Post-cards make a great alternative, as they are envelope-free!

3. Speaking of Mail...

How sick of catalogues, fliers, coupons and circulars are you? They likely go immediately into the recycling bin, with few exceptions. Do yourself (and your mail carrier) a favor and spend an hour or so calling and emailing companies and asking to be taken off their mailing lists. This is a good idea year round, but holiday mailings increase, and its a perfect time to eliminate the waste before it shows up.

4. Gift or Garbage?

While you're compiling your lists of holiday shopping, take a few minutes and assess the value of the gifts. Are they things people will use? Or will they end up being a momentary amusement and then head to the landfill? What if you reduced half of your gifts with reusable, green items? Think about the impact it could make!

Homemade food is always a crowd-pleaser, and will careful planning there won't be any waste. Fill a tin, glass jar, wooden box or Tupperware with baked goods. Cookies, bars, brownies, brittle, and candies have a decent shelf life and the vessel can be re-used over and over. If you aren't into baking, there are wonderful tutorials for making simple toasted nuts, jams, jellies, or even pickled vegetables.

Consider hosting a party for friends in lieu of gifts. Creating intentional, focused time to spend with your loved ones is what the holidays are all about, after all. Invite your guests to do a cookie or ornament exchange so everyone has something to take home.

Another great no-waste option is giving of yourself. Think about what each person on your shopping list could truly use--do they need help cleaning out a closet? Have they been wanting to learn a new skill? Are they always desperate for a babysitter? Are they about to move? Use recycled paper and make gift certificates for activities that your friends are sure to take you up on. Several years ago, I set aside all of my free weekends in January to follow up on things my friends needed. I taught two how to knit, I helped one friend remodel her bathroom, and another needed a dance partner. Not only did this give us great time together, but it's something that won't end up being re-gifted.

5. Give Green Gifts!

You're controlling your own waste, but what about encouraging friends to do the same? Consider giving them gifts such as re-usable water bottles, shopping bags, composting kits, solar-powered toys or gadgets and memberships to parks. Spread the message about how small, thoughtful changes can make a huge impact--it's like being Santa Claus for the whole planet!