• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Green Oklahoma

Green Living for Everyone!

  • Green Living
    • Gardening
    • Home
    • Parenting
    • Zero Waste
    • Holidays
  • Recipes
  • Resource Library

10 Tips for Reducing Waste During Christmas

This post may contain affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here for full disclosure and privacy policy.

December 12, 2018 By Amanda Marcott-Thottunkal 1 Comment

Christmas is a fun and wonderful time but it can also come with a lot of waste. These easy steps can help reduce Christmas waste. 

messy table after Christmas party

From the extra energy expended to keep the Christmas lights on to stacks of Christmas cards, the holidays inevitably generate a lot of waste.

It is estimated that from Thanksgiving to Christmas, an additional 1 million tons of waste fills our landfills each week.  However, being mindful that our Earth is one of the greatest gifts doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice fun or the holiday spirit. This Christmas, try to keep these 10 simple waste reduction tips in mind as you are wrapping presents and trimming the tree.

10 Tips for Reducing Christmas Waste

balls of paper trash

1. Use less ribbon or no ribbon at all when wrapping presents. If every household in the US alone used 2 ft. less ribbon this year, we could save approximately 43,470 miles of ribbon waste – more than enough to tie a bow around Earth’s 24,901-mile circumference.

2. Use wrapping paper that is recyclable, or made from recycled products, or think of innovative ways to wrap presents. For example, you can purchase wrapping paper that is made from recycled paper. You can use also fabric or cloth bags to wrap presents.

3. Recycle your live Christmas tree. Or better yet, purchase a potted tree and plant it after the holidays.  You can also purchase an artificial tree and reuse it year after year.

4. Make sure you are using LED Christmas lights. Try to limit the time the lights are actually are at night by putting them on timers.

5. Send a few less Christmas Cards – or better yet, make them an e-card. According to Hallmark, approximately 1.5 billion cards are sent out each year.  That’s enough to fill a football field 5 stories high. Here are some great, free, online e-card resources: 123Greetings, Care2, and American Greetings.

If you do send Christmas cards, use paper made of recycled material. Here are a few interesting resources for recyclable wrapping paper: Boomin, Botanical Paperworks, and Greenfield Paper. These companies produce paper with flower, herb, and vegetable seeds. Once used, it can be planted to grow! Make sure you recycle the cards you do receive or reuse them for a craft project.

6. Buy rechargeable batteries with your gifts. Even consider purchasing a battery charger with your gift. Approximately 40 percent of all battery sales happen during the holidays.

7. Don’t throw away leftover food and compost scraps if you can. If you can’t compost, check out this website to see if you can actually use your food scraps in a recipe.

8. Recycle, recycle, recycle.

9. Be creative in your gift-giving and avoid potential waste. For example, consider giving the gift of an experience or event – a concert or lessons for a new hobby. Consider giving a charitable donation in someone’s name.

10. Donate Christmas gifts you received that you don’t want – don’t just throw them away.

Following these tips will mean a less wasteful but just as wonderful of Christmas.

More Eco-Friendly Christmas Resources

  • 8 Reasons to Shop Locally for the Holidays
  • Eco-Friendly Artificial Christmas Tree
  • Eco-Friendly Gift Guide
  • Homemade Christmas Gift Guide
The following two tabs change content below.
  • Bio
  • Latest Posts

Amanda Marcott-Thottunkal

Amanda Marcott-Thottunkal is a freelance writer in Norman. In 2013, she graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Amanda is concerned about environmental policies and the effects legislation has on creating a cleaner, greener Oklahoma. She is constantly searching out ways to make her life more eco-friendly and wants to share green living tips with others. She lives with her husband and two cats.

Latest posts by Amanda Marcott-Thottunkal (see all)

  • Plastics 101: Recycling Codes for Plastic - February 28, 2023
  • Gluten-Free Lemon Poppy Seed Bread Recipe - February 22, 2022
  • The Life of a Plastic Bag – Plastic Bag Recycling - December 17, 2019
messy table after Christmas party

Share this post:

Share on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on PinterestShare on LinkedInShare on Email

Filed Under: Green Living, Holidays Tagged With: christmas

Previous Post: « Lead Exposure and Christmas Photos
Next Post: Vegan Slow Cooker Recipes »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shelby @Fitasamamabear says

    November 27, 2017 at 2:30 pm

    E-cards are totally the way to go! It seems so wasteful to me to get a bunch of cards (thought is super nice) that I’m throwing out so quickly.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Vote Now!

best of 2023 logo

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok

Featured Posts

overhead shot of coffee beans and coffee grounds

Can You Reuse Coffee Grounds? Plus Ways to Use Used Coffee Grounds

Embracing Eco-Friendly School Lunches: A Guide to Waste-Free Lunch Packing

woman holding a silicone reusable sandwich bag that has a bagel in it at the beach

The Best Reusable Sandwich Bags for Waste-Free Lunches

cat and dog under blanket on sofa

Eco-Friendly Pet Care: A Guide to Sustainable and Responsible Choices

chicken salad sandwich open face on cutting board

Perfect Summer Chicken Salad with Grapes

Copyright © 2023 · Niche Theme

Niche Theme