Green Tips: Holiday Gatherings

The holiday season is in full swing, which means travel, gift-giving, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate with friends and family. It’s also a time when our collective carbon footprint tends to spike – from shipping and travel to food waste and single-use items.

The good news? Small, thoughtful choices can add up. By being a little more intentional about how we approach this holiday season, we can reduce waste, cut emissions, and still have a great time. Here are some practical, achievable tips for a more sustainable holiday.

Rethink Gifts
One of the simplest ways to reduce waste is to rethink what a “gift” can look like.

• Give experiences or services instead of stuff. Offering snow shoveling, babysitting, dog walking, or a home-cooked meal can be deeply appreciated. Zero packaging included!
• Buy local. If you do purchase gifts, look to local businesses and sustainably made products. Shopping close to home reduces shipping emissions and supports your local economy.
• Choose secondhand or gently used items. Thrift and resale shops are treasure troves for books, clothing, toys, and home goods. Half the fun is in the hunt, and the other half is knowing you’re making the sustainable choice! 
• Get creative with what you already have. Turn unused items around your home into personalized gifts.
• Skip the wrapping paper. Traditional wrapping paper is often not recyclable. Try old newspapers, magazines, reusable fabric, or no wrapping at all.

Before buying anything, the key thing is to think before you shop. Think about where the item came from and what it took to make. Think about the carbon footprint created to bring that item to your doorstep.

Travel Sustainably
Transportation is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in New York State, accounting for nearly 30 percent of total emissions.

• Walk or bike when you can. For nearby gatherings, it’s the lowest-impact option.
• Use public transportation or carpool. Fewer cars on the road means cleaner air and fewer emissions – and more time to catch up with friends.
• Choose buses, trains, or electric and hybrid vehicles when traveling longer distances, as they generally have a smaller carbon footprint per mile.
• If flying is unavoidable, skip the transfers and go nonstop. Takeoffs and landings generate the most emissions.

Host with Reusables
Holiday gatherings often mean disposable plates, cups, and cutlery, but these single-use items create unnecessary waste.

• Ditch disposables whenever possible. Use reusable plates, napkins, cups, and silverware. (That’s what it’s there for!)
• Offer tap water instead of bottled water. It’s waste-free and a whole lot less expensive.
• Run full dishwasher loads at the end of the night to save energy and water.

Make Recycling Easy
Recycling only works when it’s done right.

• Place clearly labeled recycling bins where guests gather.
• Use simple visuals to show what can and cannot be recycled.
• Let guests know where recycling goes. Sometimes a quick announcement goes a long way..

Decor That Lasts
Sustainable is beautiful. 

• Switch to LED lighting. LED bulbs use about 75% less energy and last far longer than traditional bulbs. LED holiday string lights are festive and efficient.
• Try upcycled decorations. Paper chains made from old magazines or newspapers, reused ornaments, or homemade decorations are fun to make and add charm without the extra waste.

Plan for Your Food’s Fate
Americans waste roughly 25 percent of the food they purchase. A little planning can prevent a lot of waste.

• Take inventory before shopping and plan meals ahead.
• Avoid over-preparing when possible.
• Compost food scraps.
• Send guests home with leftovers in reusable containers.

The holidays don’t have to be wasteful to be joyful. By making mindful choices about gifts, travel, food, and decorations, we can celebrate in ways that are better for our communities and our planet.