5 Steps to a Zero Waste Christmas

Are you looking for a way to reduce your waste this holiday season?

Christmas is a great time of year, but it can also be filled with waste. 

A lot of the gifts you give are wrapped in plastic or paper that ends up in landfills after just one use. And your loved ones probably don’t want to spend their holidays cleaning out the trash they received from you! 

This year, let’s make the holidays more sustainable. We can start by reducing our waste and making smart choices about what we buy and how we use it. In this guide, you’ll find 5 steps that will help you create a zero-waste Christmas!

Step #1: Zero Waste Gifts

Create a list of everyone you want to buy a gift for and the types of gifts that would be most meaningful to them. Gifts don’t have to be material things! Think about what your loved ones need or might enjoy doing, and choose from those options instead. Check out our 137 Zero Waste Gift Ideas for inspiration.

Step #2: Zero Waste Decorations

Put up just enough decorations for the holidays. Zero Waste decorations can be anything you’re able to buy second-hand or make yourself, including handmade cards! Need more inspiration? Check out this blog for very creative ideas.

Step #3: Green Wrapping Paper and Packaging

If you need some wrapping paper or gift bags, ask your friends and family if they have any lying around. If not, try asking for paper that people don’t use anymore like newspaper ads, wallpaper

Wrapping presents is one of the biggest areas where people waste. So you can even avoid wrapping altogether or opt for reusable options, like cloth bags or paper that you can use again next year.

Step #4: Zero Waste Food

Christmas dinner can be very wasteful when it comes to food! The easiest way to reduce your waste is to buy food that doesn’t come in packaging, like fresh produce, bulk foods, and unpackaged deli items. 

You can also choose recipes with less food waste, get reusable tableware, or compost your scraps. Serve food in reusable containers and bring your own silverware to Christmas parties. Get festive with candles instead of string lights, or use natural decorations like fruits and vegetables!

Step #5: Zero Waste Christmas Tree

Now that you have everything you need, it’s time to get into the holiday spirit!

Real vs. Fake Christmas tree — some people might think that a real tree is the most sustainable option. But have you ever taken a minute to consider how many trees are cut down just for Christmas?

And while some fake trees are more eco-friendly than others, it’s still ultimately better to opt-out of having a tree altogether! You can also get creative and decorate your houseplant or decorate a tree outside! After all, you don’t have to have a Christmas tree in your house.

One of my favorites is a wooden-sticks-wall Christmas Tree from Mini Minh organic shop. You can always try to create something similar at home.

Rethink Christmas

The holiday season is about more than just spending time with family and opening presents. It’s also about giving back to your community.

This year, why not ask friends and family if they are doing anything to help the environment before buying them a gift. It could be as simple as inviting them over for dinner instead of buying something you know they can’t use!

Transform your Christmas tree into something new, like an art piece or a collaborative decor item where everyone gets to contribute. Or think of it as a way to engage kids with the wonder of nature by taking them on a hike or to the park.

Why Zero Waste Christmas Matters?

Many traditional Christmas activities, like decorating the tree and exchanging gifts, result in a lot of extra waste. On average, Americans throw away 25% more trash during Thanksgiving and Christmas. We’re talking about:

• 20+ million Christmas trees
• 38,000 miles of ribbon.
• 2.65 billion Christmas cards
• 2.3 million lbs of wrapping paper

So this year, let’s make a difference! Let’s find ways to celebrate the holidays without all that waste.