How to Make the Holidays Eco-Friendly

2. Opt out of two-day shipping options.

Vox released a video that discusses the increasing amount of human-made waste that affects the environment. I would’ve never believed that online shopping was better for the environment (granted that it keeps you from driving to the mall multiple times). It’s very convenient for shoppers who don’t want to get out of their pajamas to shop online––but there’s a caveat. When you check out at Amazon, or any other online retailer, remember to select standard shipping. When you don’t use the two-day shipping method, retailers can load many packages onto a single shipping van, which reduces the amount of carbon emissions emitted on the road. This is an easy eco-friendly action to do, but it does mean longer shipping times. However, on the plus side, this means you can start shopping now for the holidays!

3. Switch to LED lights.

I’ll admit that when LED lights first appeared in stores, the intense, neon colors didn’t appeal to me compared to the nostalgic colors and warm whites of my childhood holidays. However, LED lights now come in different colors and brightness levels so you can find an LED light that gives off a warm ambiance. Brands now offer more energy-efficient, durable LED lights that can even save you a little extra money, compared to traditional incandescent lights. But don’t throw out your old lights yet! If any lightbulbs still work, use them! One of the problems with joining the zero-waste trend is throwing away items that are still perfectly good. Make use of what you have; then once those old lights are done, purchase LED lights to replace the old ones.

Pro Tip: No matter which lightbulbs you’re using, remember to unplug them when they’re not in use.

4. 
   

   Eat (all) your leftovers.

Who doesn’t enjoy leftovers? Well, as it turns out, many of us get tired of eating turkey for the fourth day in a row. According to the National Resources Defense Council, Americans only consume 60 percent of their holiday dishes––which means up to 40 percent of holiday food is thrown away. The solution is simple: eat your leftovers! If you’re hosting the holiday meal this year, consider planning how much food you should make. Sometimes, holiday feasts have leftovers, regardless of how much planning you do. To help you out, here are some recipes for eating your holiday leftovers. If you’re a guest at someone else’s holiday meal, bring containers to your gatherings in case there are leftovers that your host can’t keep.

5. Turn the thermostat down while hosting holiday parties.

For a Seattle native like me, the holiday season gets cold––which translates to turning up the thermostat. When entertaining guests in the cold autumn and winter months, turn your thermostat off, which saves energy and money. Once your guests begin to arrive, try turning your heat down ,or better yet, completely off! Otherwise, you might find that keeping your heat on will cause a lot of holiday sweater-clad guests to run warm in your home.

Pro Tip: If you are using your oven to prepare food, don’t waste the leftover heat after you’re done cooking! Turn the oven off and leave the door open. That residual heat will warm nearby space.

As someone who is always looking for ways to be less wasteful, I have found that these tips make it pretty easy to form better eco-friendly habits. They’ve made me more mindful to always implement eco-friendly practices into my daily life, even during the holiday season. I hope these tips also help you have a happier holiday season and that you’ll get the opportunity to reflect on how reducing waste gives back to taking care of our community and planet.