Options for a Greener Holiday Season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, as the song goes. Not so much if you’re a coastline, forest or landfill.According to statistics shared by Stanford University and Zero Waste Canada, there’s a 25 per cent increase in the amount of waste that heads to the landfills in both the United States and Canada between the middle of November and the beginning of January.Culprits include wrapping paper, tape, cards, ribbons, plastic decorations, cardboard boxes, and let’s not forget food and holiday-themed clothing.

According to the Stanford statistics, if every American family re-used just two feet of holiday ribbon, the 61,155 km of ribbon saved could wrap around the entire planet one-and-a-half times. Yikes!

So, how about some green alternatives?

If you want to still gift someone a surprise, consider reusing an old wooden box or tin to hide it. Instead of wrapping paper you could use magazine or newspaper clippings, or even take a note from the Japanese custom of furoshiki – wrapping gifts in fabric.Also be conscientious of where you are getting gifts from: big box items or shopping from online mammoths may be convenient, but these items are often mass-produced in conditions that are unsafe for workers and the planet. Consider shopping locally instead and search for ethical and green products.

Another great alternative to gifts altogether is gifting experiences. This could be a gift certificate to a restaurant or movie theatre, a massage at a spa, or even more pragmatic gifts, like a gift card to a grocery store, a buss pass, a gym membership or a month at a pet training program.Other less materialistic gift options could include baking or cooking for someone, or volunteering your time for a good cause.The options are endless for a creative green mind, so put some thought into making this the most wonderful time of the year for everyone.

Author:

Nicole Crescenzi is a Greater Victoria resident who holds a career in journalism and professional communications. More importantly she’s a fan of the ocean, forests and mountains that shape the West Coast.