By Susan Wineland
Orange Recycling Committee
Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, household trash skyrockets. In fact, Americans throw away nearly a quarter more garbage than at any other time of the year – that’s about 5.8 million extra tons of wrapping paper, plastic packaging and even unused gifts ending up in the trash.
It seems many of us feel the same way about it, too. Surveys show that nine out of 10 Americans wish the holidays were less focused on “stuff.” That means we have an opportunity, right here in our own community, to do things differently.
Choosing reusable gift bags, wrapping presents in newspaper or fabric, buying fewer but more meaningful gifts and recycling whenever possible are small steps that add up. Even simple changes, like skipping plastic bows or giving homemade treats, can help reduce the mountain of waste that piles up every December.
This holiday season, let’s celebrate with a lighter footprint – and focus on what really matters: time with family, friends and neighbors.
And any time of year when you give a gift, consider some cost-effective and waste-friendly alternatives including for wrapping paper that look just as festive – and sometimes can even be more meaningful.
Fabric wraps and reusable bags: Cloth wraps, maybe like the Japanese art of furoshiki, or simple fabric gift bags can be reused again and again. They’re colorful, practical and reduce
single-use waste.
Brown craft paper: Butcher paper or craft paper is a rustic, versatile option. It’s also the perfect blank canvas for decoration. Involve the kids, who can color or paint on it, or even try potato stamping. To do this, an adult cuts a potato in half, carves out a simple shape on the surface, then lets children use the stamp with paint or an ink pad to create their own designs.
Newspaper and magazines: Old newspapers, especially the comics section, or colorful magazine pages make for eye-catching and unique wrapping.
Children’s artwork: Kids’ drawings and paintings bring a personal, heartfelt touch to any package. A simple paper grocery bag can be cut open and decorated, while gift bags can be reused many times before wearing out.
Maps: Those outdated road maps are stylish and conversation-worthy wrapping paper.
Beyond paper: Don’t forget about non-traditional options too – a basket, jar or even a cozy blanket can hold a gift without needing wrap at all.
With a little creativity, wrapping a gift can be just as fun and thoughtful as choosing the gift itself – and it helps keep waste out of the landfill.
Holiday meals bring people together, but they don’t have to bring mountains of waste. Everyday dishes and silverware work beautifully – and cut down on the need for plastic cups and utensils. Studies show that after just a month of daily use, a simple glass cup is more sustainable than disposable plastics. Stainless steel utensils also quickly outpace single-use plastic forks and knives.
Even swapping out paper napkins for cloth makes a difference. One hundred disposable napkins add nearly 500 pounds of carbon emissions to the atmosphere. In comparison, a cloth napkin reused a hundred times produces just 7 pounds. That’s a win for both the planet and your holiday budget.
By rethinking our traditions just a little – whether it’s the way we wrap gifts, decorate our homes, or set the holiday table – we can make this season more joyful, less stressful, simpler and better for the environment.
Susan Wineland is a member of the Orange Recycling Committee.