‘Tis the season of giving.
‘Tis also the season of waste. Every week during the holiday season, a million additional tons of waste are generated in the US, according to a Stanford study. And who hasn’t seen billowing trash cans in neighborhoods on the day after Christmas?
Fortunately, it turns out there are many great gift options that do not generate waste, do not involve pollution or greenhouse gas emissions, and will be happily received by those on your list.
Here are 10 ideas for choosing gifts that reflect your caring for the planet, as well as your love for those on your list:
- One way to ensure that the gift you give won’t end up in the trash is to give an experience. Maybe your loved one would be happy to get tickets to a concert or sporting event, or tickets to an upcoming local theater production. Is there someone on your list would like to experience Tai Chi or try learning to play the piano? The gift of a couple of lessons could open up a new avenue of enjoyment for someone you love.
- Is there an area in which you have the skills to offer something special? If you’re known as a terrific baker of bread or pie, for example, offer to make and bring one over, fresh from the oven, at a designated day and time. Do you have an eye for fashion? You could offer to help a loved one shop for clothing that they like. What they choose will certainly not end up in the trash or hang, forever unworn, in a closet. If there is someone on your list who hates housecleaning or is unable to do it, you could give the gift of a couple of hours cleaning their home. If you think about it, you are likely well-suited to offer certain gifts that will be gratefully received.
- Buy second-hand. A vintage shop or thrift store may yield a treasure you wouldn’t find if pursuing only new items. Giving second-hand is a way to make good use of products that already exist, while also helping reduce the demand for new products.
- When buying new, prioritize quality. Well-made items may cost a bit more than their cheap cousins but are more likely to hold up and be of value for a long time. Cheap goods too often break, rip, or otherwise break down and end up in the trash.
- Local v Online: Shopping local reduces emissions from shipping, while supporting small businesses that are likely to invest in the community. Yet driving around in search of the perfect gift is also polluting. Shopping online means the shopper doesn’t have to drive, but the delivery person does. When shopping online, try to include as many of your purchases in the same order as you can to minimize the number of shipments. (And you’ll be more likely to qualify for free shipping at the same time.)
- Gift cards may seem unexciting, but they’re a great way to give a gift you know will be used and not wasted. If you know your loved one’s favorite restaurants and stores, your gift card will be a hit.
- Is there someone on your list who does not want more ‘stuff’ and who cares very much about a particular cause? Such a loved one might greatly appreciate your making a donation in his or her name to a non-profit organization that is doing good work to advance the cause your loved one cares strongly about.
- Give a plant. Plants add pleasantness to a room, and they help improve air quality. Be sure to include care instructions, since not everyone knows which plants need what.
- Support sustainability. Where possible, choose items packaged simply in paper, with a minimum of plastic. Support companies with stated commitments to sustainability.
- Wrap gifts sustainably. Save gift bags you’ve received, and reuse them. Save used wrapping paper if it’s in reasonably good shape. Even a piece of used wrapping may have enough undamaged surface area for wrapping smaller packages. Consider wrapping gifts in other materials, like a new dish cloth, or a colorful piece of fabric. Thrift stores can be a good source of unused wrapping paper, mostly full spools of ribbon, and gift bags.