How to Have a Holly, Jolly, Green Holiday

Are we experiencing a winter wonderland or a winter wasteland? 

If you need motivation to have a sustainable holiday, consider this: every year, at least 12,500 tons of holiday decorations, 141,525 tons of food packaging, and 30,000 tons of holiday cards end up in landfills. Imagine the numbers when considering gift packaging, food waste, and unused gifts. All of these contributions to holiday waste are entirely avoidable. Follow these tips to help support a greener holiday season.

	Gift intentionally Consider setting expectations with friends and family by asking for specifics on what they want, prioritizing non-material gifts, or exploring giftless ways to celebrate together. Think about giving something that can be enjoyed in the future, like tickets to a game or concert. Here’s more on how to “give a great story.”
	Rethink the Gift Wrap Wrapping paper is one of the biggest sources of holiday waste. Unfortunately, most wrapping paper isn’t recyclable due to how it’s coated, and even if it is, many people just toss it in the garbage. Try saving and reusing what you can each year and, keep a stash of bows to wrap with and return them to the stash after use.
	Opt for eco-friendly decorations When it comes to decorations, always prioritize using what you already have! If you feel you're in need of more than what's already in storage, try secondhand stores first — there’s typically no shortage of holiday-themed goods at the thrift store. The good news is once you have a collection of decor, you can store it and reuse it every year.
	Get a real tree Instead of an artificial one, get a real tree. Or, even better, buy one still growing in a pot! Real holiday trees are generally better for the environment than fake ones, and you can recycle them locally (check out tip #9 below!).
	Switch to LED holiday lights Switching to LED lights can save you on your holiday season energy bills because they use 95% less energy. LEDs release very little heat and last about 25 times longer.
	Minimize your food waste With some simple steps, you can help to reduce food waste. Buy only what you need, compost, or make stock with your vegetable peelings, and be creative with leftovers. Store those leftovers in reusable containers.
	Ditch the cheap stocking stuffers Stockings are often filled with plastic items that end up broken, lost, or discarded once the holiday season ends. Try filling them with delicious homemade treats and a few small, thoughtfully chosen items.
	Donate to charity Have trouble finding something for that particular person on your list who has everything? Nonprofits and charities do great work, so find one that resonates and make a gift in their name.
	Recycle your tree Recycled trees have multiple uses. Some are turned into mulch for community playgrounds, parks, and homes. Recycling eliminates the costly process of adding additional debris to landfills. Starting December 26, Austin Resource Recovery customers can recycle their trees at the curb. Others can drop them off.

Make your holiday season less stressful and a little more sustainable with these tips to simplify your festivities. It will be a gift you give yourself — and the planet! The Office of Sustainability wishes all Austinites happy holidays and a prosperous 2025.