Shop Sustainably This Holiday Season

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The holidays are a time for joy, celebration and giving, but amidst all the festivities, we must still be mindful of our impact on the planet. And since the biggest shopping weekend of the year is only days away, sustainable holiday shopping and spending become increasingly important around this time as people seek ways to celebrate the season while minimizing their environmental footprint.

Eco-friendly behavior starts with buying decisions. So, whatever your shopping plans entail for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and beyond, there are countless ways to step up to do your share for cleaner air and cut down on waste while grabbing the best deals:

  • Shop smarter online – Online shopping allows you to shop from the comfort of your home, leaving you and the planet happy. While unfortunately everything in life has an environmental footprint, including online shopping, you can minimize your impact by looking for companies that offer sustainable packaging and consolidating your orders rather than purchasing individual items from different shops. You’ll also want to do your best to avoid expedited and overnight shipping by completing your holiday shopping well ahead of time and opting for the slower but much eco-friendlier standard shipping option.
  • Shop locally – For those who prefer to shop in person, planning ahead by mapping out your shopping plan can reduce carbon emissions that lead to poor air quality and create a much easier shopping experience overall. Also, if you’re planning to host a festive holiday dinner this year, consider shopping for sustainable produce from your local farmers. Not only does local, organic food taste better, but you’ll also be doing your part for the community and the planet.
  • Bring reusable shopping bags – Holiday shopping is great fun but also a huge producer of excess plastic shopping bags. Consider keeping reusable bags in your car so they’re always available and you don’t have to worry about leaving them at home. Going the reusable route helps to reduce the number of non-renewable resources necessary to produce plastic bags, in addition to cleaning the air by reducing harmful waste that winds up in landfills.
  • Look for environmentally friendly products – When making your purchases, especially big-ticket items, try to find the best green alternatives. Look for electronics and appliances that use less energy by checking for the ENERGY STAR® mark. ENERGY STAR® certified products use less energy than standard models, ultimately saving you money on your utility bill while helping to protect the environment and clear the air. You can also make sustainable decisions about your purchases by choosing products made from eco-friendly materials, such as organic cotton or recycled plastic. And remember, giving the gift of your time or a shared experience may be among the greenest options of all.

A few small changes are all it takes to help people across the St. Louis region breathe easier this holiday season. To learn more, 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.