All you need to know about…

giving happiness global impact

5 Ways to Keep Holidays Eco-Friendly and Give to the Planet

 

There are ways to keep holidays eco-friendly while you keep your own rituals. What’s your favourite thing about the holiday season? Sharing special meals with loved ones? What about buying, wrapping, and exchanging gifts? Holidays are great times to set aside our usual routines and cares to relax and enjoy the festivities. However, Planet Earth doesn’t take a break from you, so it’s important that your traditions and actions during the holidays are eco-friendly. Here are five simple ways to give to the Earth during the holidays.

Give Zero-Waste Gifts To Keep Holidays Eco-Friendly

One of the great things about holidays is giving and receiving of gifts. You can be eco-friendly with your choice of holiday gifts by:

  • purchasing recyclable, reusable, or biodegradable gifts (e.g., organic towels, compostable cellphone cases)
  • giving gifts of experience (e.g., registration for gym or hobby classes, passes to movies or amusement parks)
  • making a charitable donation in honour of your loved ones

 

Use Recyclable or Reusable Gift Packaging To Keep Holidays Eco-Friendly

Ways to Keep Holidays Eco-friendly

Some gift packaging materials are not eco-friendly, producing a lot of non-biodegradable waste during this time of gift-giving. Why not consider recyclable gift packaging, such as paper gift wraps and bags? If you want to reduce waste further, pack gifts in holiday-themed reusable bags; those bags can be additional gifts that recipients can use instead of plastic bags when they go shopping!

 

Plan Your Holiday Shopping in Advance to Keep Holidays Eco-Friendly

When you plan your holiday shopping by deciding where, what, and how to shop, you can save time, money, and energy while producing less waste. You can prepare for your shopping by:

  • making a shopping list (it will help you purchase only the items you need)
  • finding stores that sell items that are eco-friendly or have less packaging
  • bringing reusable bags for your shopping trips
  • (if you drive) planning your shopping route to reduce the travelling distance and save on gas

 

Recycle and Compost After Your Holiday Meals to Keep Holidays Eco-Friendly

Ways to Keep Holidays Eco-friendly

When you host and serve holiday meals for a large group of people, it’s convenient to use paper plates and plastic cups. However, I’ve seen many people throw disposable dinnerware and leftover food straight into garbage bins. You can reduce waste after your holiday meals by recycling as much dinnerware as possible and composting leftover food. If you want to be even more eco-friendly, consider purchasing disposable dinnerware made from biodegradable sources or renting reusable dinnerware from event rental businesses.

Choose Eco-Friendly Travel Options

Whether you are travelling to your family home or to another vacation destination, you can give to the Earth by choosing transportation options that use less fuel or produce less pollution. If possible, use public transportation or carpool to your destinations. If you need to rent vehicles during your trip, consider hybrid or electric vehicles. Remember to carry only what you need during your trip; vehicles use more gas and produce more pollution when they carry extra weight.

Can you think of other creative and unique ideas for eco-friendly holidays? For more eco-friendly living and giving ideas, check out 365give’s Giving Ideas – Environment in our blog. Enjoy your holidays, everyone!

 

 

What people are saying about 365give

“I wanted to express my gratitude for the teaching you provided today. Your message was delivered eloquently, compassionately, and without judgment. The kids were engaged, and now have knowledge with which they can change the world. We all appreciated how you took the time to help us learn to build positive mindsets and practice happiness.”
Shelley Gardner, Grade 6 Ridgeview Elementary (West Vancouver)
“Actions really do speak louder than words, which is why I believe the 365give Challenge has resonated throughout my community. Every give we do is so important to us and leaves us happier and appreciating our lives a little bit more than before.”
Mahina Niyozova (Tajikistan)
“After watching the 365give TEDx Talk, I was inspired to join and begin a daily giving program in India. Today, along with 12 other volunteer women, we provide 100 meals to local underprivileged children in Bangalore for school every day.”
Deepika Ahuja, Mom (Bangalore, India)
“My life has greater meaning now.”
Renate Jorge, @BeKindBrazil and 365give Member, Family Program (Brazil)
“I just wanted to share that 365give really helped me. I am a better person now, thank you.”
MayLee, 365give Member, Individual Program
“This 365give Challenge has really injected excitement and extra enthusiasm in each work day as I think about what we can do. It has motivated me and the students.”
Cristina Peters, School Counselor (New York City, USA)
“I have seen a huge shift in energy throughout my classroom since doing the 365give Challenge. The Challenge has empowered my students to make a positive difference in the school’s community and beyond.”
Cella Adriana, Special Needs Educator /The Holliswood School (New York City, USA)
“The 365give Challenge helps students understand their impact on others. It opens avenues for introducing and discussing global and local issues in classrooms. It is powerful to watch students of all ages think about how they can make a change in another person’s life with one small act.”
Jessica Hall, Primary Teacher, French Immersion at École Pauline Johnson (West Vancouver, Canada)