As a result of our choices in decorating schemes, we can unintentionally affect the environment due to the materials and resources we use. As a collective, individuals and businesses have many ways to share in the beauty of the season AND spare the planet. Remember that “reduce-reuse-recycle” is a hierarchy, with the most important actions—reduce and reuse—on top. Start with a few changes, and each year, add on. Small actions together make a huge impact.
Here are some ways to greening up during the holidays:
Reuse holiday decor. One easy way to go-green this holiday season is to reuse your decorations and opt for eco-friendly packaging. Ordering new ones every year comes at a high environmental cost. There’s the footprint of producing and transporting them. Plus, most everything arrives in shrink wrap or other plastic packaging, which isn’t recyclable. Don’t have what you need? Consider thrifting. Most thrift shops now have a year-round holiday section so you can pick up bargains any time. Another option to consider are decoration swaps. It’s amazing what is hiding in other people’s basements and attics.
Shipping products? Consider reusing boxes and packing materials. Julie Andrews had it right: “Brown paper packages tied up with string” make beautiful wrapping that’s easily reused and then recycled. When shipping boxes, consider options for Kraft tape.
Choose eco-friendly decorations this holiday season. Polyester fiberfill, a synthetic material to mimic snow, plastic glitter, and Styrofoam contribute to environmental litter and water pollution in our community. Incorporate natural materials like evergreen leaves and pinecones to make your decor both beautiful and environmentally conscious.
Decorate with energy-efficient lights. Customers love holiday lights, but incandescent ones use extraordinary amounts of energy. As your current supplies of lights burn out, swap over to more efficient LED ones. They cost a little more upfront but will save on your energy bills in the long run and last longer, too. Light strings are also not recyclable curbside.
Here are extra tips to incorporate at the office or at home:
Gift giving to employees? Consider e-gift cards, rather than the default non-recyclable plastic ones. Or entirely opt out of physical gifts for a team activity. This experience can serve as a great opportunity for team building, while helping the community and the environment.
Having a party? Reusables are the way to go. Plastic utensils, plates and cups are not recyclable, nor are many paper goods with plastic or other coatings. And while it’s a little more work for the dishwasher, the environmental footprint of running your dishwasher a few more times is far, far less than dredging oil from the ground, turning it into plastic and then having it sit in a landfill long after the festivities are over.
As we celebrate every holiday season with cheer and gift-giving, take a moment to think about the choices we make as businesses that may affect our environment. Your small choices can make a BIG difference in our great community.
