By Carlos Roa, VoLo Foundation
The end-of-year holidays are a time for reunion and tradition. However, they also involve a significant increase in consumption and waste, which grows every year.
The good news is that it is possible to enjoy responsibly with small changes in our actions.
During this period, the amount of trash far exceeds the rest of the year. From wrapping paper and packaging to leftover food and discarded decorations, the pressure on collection and recycling systems multiplies. Adopting sustainable habits does not mean giving up celebration; it can add more value and intention to every gesture.
Changing habits
- Holiday waste: It is estimated that holiday waste could fill 50,000 buses. Greenhouse gas emissions also increase because of discarded food and packaging, and the use of natural resources intensifies.
- Gift wrapping: Each year, 108 million rolls of wrapping paper are discarded, many of them not recyclable because they contain glitter, foil or plastics.
- Food: About 4.5 million holiday dinners are thrown away each year, with losses of up to $60 per family. Planning menus and managing leftovers can help reduce waste.
- Online shopping: More than 114,000 tons of holiday plastics are discarded each year, along with cardboard and shipping fillers, putting pressure on recycling systems.
- Christmas trees: Each year, 8 million real trees are discarded, which can emit up to 16 kilograms of CO₂ in landfills. Artificial trees must be used for at least 10 years to offset their environmental impact.
- Holiday lights: More than 500 tons are discarded each year. Using LED lights and timers reduces energy use and increases durability.
- Retail sector: Waste increases by up to 30 percent during the season, mainly because of unsold seasonal inventory. This highlights the need for better planning and sustainable packaging strategies.
Sustainable solutions and alternatives
- Use recyclable paper and avoid non-recyclable decorations.
- Reuse fabrics or decorative boxes.
- Plan menus, adjust portions and donate leftovers.
- Buy products with sustainable packaging and reuse boxes.
- Recycle real trees, rent potted trees or use artificial trees for several years.
- Use LED lights, recycle damaged lights and use timers.
- Improve inventory planning and promote circular packaging in stores.
- Create recycling areas at home and reuse decorations.
- Reduce, reuse and recycle whenever possible.
Celebrating sustainably does not mean giving up the joy of the holidays. Buying intentionally, choosing local or durable gifts, reusing decorations and managing waste properly help maintain tradition while caring for the environment.
Holidays can remain a time for gathering and celebration, but they are also an opportunity to rethink how we consume and what we leave behind at the end of the season. With small changes, it is possible to keep the festive spirit alive while reducing the environmental impact that comes with each December.
Carlos Roa is senior press and PR director for VoLo Foundation. VoLo Foundation is a financial supporter of The Invading Sea. This piece was originally published at https://volofoundation.org/news/reducing-holiday-waste-while-keeping-the-joy/. Banner photo: Discarded wrapping paper (iStock image
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