‘Tis the season to be eco-conscious as the holidays bring many opportunities to go green and think about the impact our treasured traditions and activities these next couple weeks can have on the environment. In all the enthusiasm and hustle and bustle that comes between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, it’s easy to overlook our impact on the planet, though it’s important to recognize that the average household will produce up to 25% more waste during this festive period, according to the EPA.
Merrymakers can reduce their carbon footprint and limit unnecessary waste by making a few small changes in the way we celebrate. Here are some insightful tips to making the holiday season more merry, bright and sustainable to help improve regional air quality for area residents to breathe easier:
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- Gift Greener – Consider gifting an experience to loved ones to reduce waste and environmental impact. Buying gifts from local businesses that follow social and environmental practices or supporting local artists, craftspeople or farmers will also largely benefit the region’s air quality. Additionally, newspapers, old posters, maps, reusable gift bags or scrap fabric lying around the house make for beautiful, personal and unique gift wraps. If you choose to buy gift wrap, look for recycled content gift wrap paper whenever you can find it.
- Green Your Holiday Dinner Table – If you’re in charge of hosting a holiday feast for loved ones this year, sourcing as many of your ingredients as possible locally helps to cut down on emissions produced by large transport trucks. The less your produce and supplies must travel, the less waste is produced, and the smaller the environmental impact. Additionally, single-use items (while they make the cleanup process more convenient) are less visually appealing than reusable dishware and far worse for the environment. So, consider swapping out disposable plates, cups, napkins and silverware for your favorite set of dishes this year for greener dining.
- Properly Dispose of Your Tree – If your holiday includes a tree, and you opt for an artificial one, box it up once the season is over and save it for years to come. When you’re ready to get rid of it, do your best to recycle or donate it to help avoid the hazardous landfill. For real trees that still have the root ball attached, consider re-planting in your yard after the holidays or dispose of the tree at a composting or chipping facility in your neighborhood to do your share for cleaner air.
- Travel Sustainably – Last but not least, greener travel starts before even leaving the house. The more weight trains, planes and automobiles must carry, the more fuel they use, and the more harmful greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere. So, be conscious of how many extra items you’re packing to lighten the load and help keep the air quality in healthy ranges. If traveling by your own personal vehicle, routine maintenance steps like checking engine performance and keeping tires properly inflated are ideal ways to help reduce emissions and fuel consumption. The bus or train are also great options that can offer a certain level of convenience, particularly if the weather and roads are bad along your route.
To learn more about the link between living greener and our air quality, visit the tips section of the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.