The holiday season is a wonderful time to enjoy with family and friends, but it can also be a very wasteful time of the year. This year, make your holidays more sustainable with these tips.
Sustainable gifts
Instead of buying more new stuff, which puts a strain on the planet with extra greenhouse gas emissions, consider buying gently used items at thrift stores in town. One of my favorites for jewelry, scarves, and home goods is The Thrifty Kitty at 1509 Webster Street, which benefits Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS). MoodSwing, at 2707 Encinal Avenue, has a wide range of antiques including mid-century modern and Victorian-era items. Thrift stores are good places to look for holiday decorations as well as gifts.
Another approach is gifting local experiences instead of stuff. Think Alameda Theatre, Altarena Playhouse, or Rhythmix Cultural Works, or gift certificates to a favorite restaurant. Home-baked goodies are also a welcome treat. Or consider planet-friendly gifts like reusable tote bags, coffee mugs, and water bottles.
Tip for large families to reduce holiday stress and overconsumption: Do a Secret Santa drawing instead of everyone buying gifts for everyone.
Gift wrapping and holiday cards
Avoid glitter and overly shiny paper when purchasing gift wrap and holiday cards, so they can be recycled. Even better, use gift bags or tote bags that can easily be reused by the recipient. Or wrap with alternatives such as newspaper or dish towels.
Earth-friendly parties
Instead of disposable plates, napkins, and utensils, use reusable plates, cloth napkins, and metal utensils. If you don’t have enough to throw a party, a party kit can be borrowed from Alameda Natural Grocery. What a great service they provide to the community! And be sure to set out bins for recycling, composting, and garbage so guests can properly sort their trash.
Holiday meals
Food waste is a big problem during the holidays. Plan ahead for exactly how many guests you have so you do not prepare way too much food. Ask guests to bring reusable containers to take home leftovers. Then use remaining leftovers completely by making soup out of the turkey carcass, black-eyed peas and ham out of the ham bone, and gnocchi or potato pancakes out of mashed potatoes. Compost food scraps including bones.
Holiday travel
Many families travel to visit relatives during the holidays. Consider buying carbon offsets for your travel. Most airlines offer carbon offset options. If possible, choose a direct flight which consumes less fuel than trips with a connecting flight.
Happy holidays to everyone!
Joyce Mercado is an author and member of Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA). Her columns are collected at alamedapost.com/Joyce-Mercado. She can be reached at [email protected].
