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Everybody celebrates different holidays and everybody celebrates holidays differently. To support that diversity while still helping you go green, we\u2019ve compiled a mega-list of ways to make your winter holiday decorations more sustainable.<\/p>Everybody celebrates different holidays and everybody celebrates holidays differently. To support that diversity while still helping you go green, we\u2019ve compiled a mega-list of ways to make your winter holiday decorations more sustainable.<\/p>
Lights<\/strong><\/p> Lighting is a big component of many winter holidays. Some quick tips:<\/p> Use LEDs wherever possible - they are ~80% more energy efficient and last up to 50 times longer!<\/p><\/li> For candles, choose bio-based (like beeswax or soy) which burn more cleanly<\/p><\/li> For lights that plug in, put them on timers (or smart plugs) to avoid accidentally leaving them on all night<\/p><\/li> If the lights are battery powered, consider rechargeable batteries<\/p><\/li><\/ul> <\/p> Trees<\/strong><\/p> For anyone who celebrates Christmas, the tree is often the centerpiece of the holiday. Here\u2019s a quick digest of the most sustainable options:<\/p> Best:<\/strong> Opt for tree alternatives like a house plant (norfolk pines are a top pick) or DIY a wall-mounted tree<\/u><\/a><\/p><\/li> Best:<\/strong> Get a living tree, which comes with an active root ball and can be planted in the spring if you have the outdoor space. If not, you might be able to rent living trees<\/u><\/a>!<\/p><\/li> Good: <\/strong>Purchasing a cut tree has carbon impacts to consider (see below), but you can reduce those by shopping local and making sure to compost or recycle<\/u><\/a> it after.<\/p><\/li> OK:<\/strong> If opting for an artificial tree, consider that you\u2019d need to use it for 5+ years to balance out the environmental impact of production.<\/p><\/li><\/ul> <\/p> General decorations<\/strong><\/p> Different holidays have different decor traditions, but there are some general principles you can apply across the festivities:<\/p> Reuse, buy secondhand, and upcycle items wherever possible.<\/p><\/li> If you are purchasing something new, choose a high-quality item that can last you many years.<\/p><\/li> Need a change? Host a holiday decor swap and get something new to you.<\/p><\/li> For New Year celebrations, avoid dates or annual motifs so they can be reused.<\/p><\/li> If your holidays involve cleaning, choose just-add-water cleaning products and donate or recycle any items you\u2019re getting rid of.<\/p><\/li><\/ul> <\/p> As with all our mega-tips, each individual suggestion will have its own impact, however the math for cut Christmas trees is pretty straightforward: The CO2 \u201ccost\u201d of a cut Christmas tree is 0.026 metric tons (only 0.016 from decomposition but 0.02 metric tons of annual lost CO2 sequestration). If even just 10 people rent a tree this year instead of chopping one down, that would equate to driving 1000 miles (1609 km)!<\/p> Financial (one-time):<\/strong> Negative to Small<\/p> The crux of this tip is generally to buy less and reuse more, thus upfront costs should be small (or possibly negative if you\u2019re renting).<\/p> Financial (on-going):<\/strong> Negative to none<\/p> Most of these tips have no ongoing costs and might save you money on your electric bills or during next year\u2019s decorating.<\/p> Time Commitment: <\/strong>Periodic<\/p> It\u2019s just a matter of keeping sustainability in mind when you\u2019re doing your annual decorating.<\/p> The holidays are an important time for honoring traditions and connecting with loved ones, but they can sometimes come with excess consumption and waste. Decorations is only one small component of that, so make sure to keep sustainability in mind when considering travel, gifting, and even meals.<\/p> Good Housekeeping did a great review on the impact of real vs fake Christmas trees<\/u><\/a>. <\/p>![\"Santa](\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/okhk8tyqblg0zifouvoogui3ztrhtbvlrcichifdd7rng289.jpeg.jpeg?w=1140&v=2\" "\\"Santa")
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