How To Have the Most Environmentally Responsible Holiday Season Yet
The holiday season is a time of joy, gathering, and gift-giving—but it’s also a time when household waste in the U.S. increases by a staggering 25%! According to the EPA, that’s an additional 1 million tons of waste per week between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. But there's no need to feel like you deserve a lump of coal in this year’s stocking—because we see the holiday season as an opportunity for collective action. With an understanding of the recycling ground rules and an awareness of some small, intentional changes to make—we can reduce waste while preserving the festive spirit of the season.
Holiday Recycling Do’s and Don’ts:
Before you can begin to move from naughty to nice on Mother Earth’s list, it’s important to understand the basic rules of recycling. So here’s a quick guide to help make your holiday clean-up easy:
What Can Be Recycled:
- Plain Paper Gift Wrap: Make sure it’s free of tape and decorations like glitter or foil. A great hack is to crumple the paper—if it stays crumpled, it’s likely recyclable. If it bounces back, it probably isn’t.
- Cardboard Boxes: Remove tape and plastic inserts, then recycle.
- Holiday Cards: Plain paper holiday cards and envelopes without glitter or foil can be recycled.
- Plastic Bottles and Containers: Check for recycling symbols to see if they’re curbside recyclable or require store drop-off.
- Holiday Light Strings: Not curbside recyclable, but many stores offer drop-off programs.
- Christmas Trees: Most communities offer upcycling programs that chip or replant trees.
- Plastic Grocery Bags: Bring these to store drop-offs; paper bags can go in curbside recycling.
What Can’t Be Recycled:
- Glitter or Foil-Coated Items: This includes shiny or sparkly wrapping paper and certain decorations.
- Bows, Ribbons, and Tinsel: These can clog recycling machines and should be discarded.
- Styrofoam: Generally not accepted for recycling.
- Batteries: Dispose of these at specialized recycling centers.
- Saran Wrap and Dirty Aluminum Foil: Clean aluminum foil can be recycled if crumpled into a ball; plastic wrap and dirty foil should be discarded.
Simple Tips for the Season: Things You Can Do Today
Small choices can make a big impact while you create, decorate – and of course – celebrate. By taking these into account, you’ll be able to keep the ghosts of packaging waste’s past at bay, and enjoy a more sustainable season.
- Buy Less New Wrapping Paper: Use up what you already have at home or repurpose packaging materials you’ve received, like Pregis EverTec Mailers, which are both sturdy and recyclable.
- Opt for Simple Holiday Cards: Choose plain paper holiday cards without glitter or foil.
- Decorate with Natural Elements: Swap out plastic decorations for natural items like greenery, pinecones, or dried oranges. They look festive and compost easily afterward!
- Use Reusable Tins or Containers: Instead of single-use containers, use reusable storage tins or jars for holiday goodies.
- Choose Beeswax or Soy Candles: These renewable, biodegradable candles are a greener option compared to traditional paraffin candles.
So deck the halls, light those candles and spread that cheer. Because we can all do our part to make a difference. At Pregis, we’re dedicated to supporting sustainability by offering products that help reduce waste—all year round. This holiday season, let’s make our world a more sustainable place, together.
Happy Holidays!
