How to reduce waste during the holiday season

Learn new ideas about how you can reduce, reuse, and recycle waste.

It's the time of the year to celebrate the holiday season with loved ones. It is also a time when decorations, wrapping paper, and food waste can pile up during the holiday season. According to Zero Waste Canada, the average Canadian generates 25 per cent more waste during the holidays than during the rest of the year.

In the spirit of holiday giving, here are twelve simple tips that can help you reduce waste, save you money, and even fight climate change.

  1. Reuse decorations: Make your own decorations by reusing items from around your home. You can reuse cardboard, make mason jar ornaments, or use photographs to create a new ornament.
     
  2. Avoid buying and serving too much food: Make a meal plan and stick to your shopping list to avoid overbuying. Plan how much to serve based on the number of people attending.
     
  3. Freeze leftovers: Serve portions appropriately and encourage guests to take leftovers home. If you love leftovers but have too much, freeze individual portions for a delicious new meal.
     
  4. Collect your drink containers after the party: Parties and festivities can generate a lot of empty drink containers. Please collect these containers for recycling. That way they do not end up as landfill or as litter in the environment.
     
  5. Purchase products in bulk: Shopping in bulk is a good way to reduce waste and save money. It is also more convenient.
     
  6. Get creative with gift wrap: Use scarves or reuse gift bags for wrapping presents. Create new gift bags from fabric or empty cereal boxes.
     
  7. Give experiences over things: Many gifts eventually end up in the landfill. Consider giving experiences like movie tickets, a restaurant gift certificate, an adventure, or a class instead of physical gifts.
     
  8. Choose earth-friendly holiday greetings: When putting together your holiday greeting list, try choosing cards made of recycled paper.
     
  9. Use environmentally friendly batteries: Invest in a set of rechargeable batteries. They can last for years and can be recycled!
     
  10. Regifting is good: Nothing is better than giving an unused gift to an owner who will truly value it.
     
  11. Celebrate with a living potted Christmas tree: Many people enjoy the smell of a fresh-cut Christmas tree, but these trees end up at the landfill at the end of the season. A potted Christmas tree can be planted at the end of the season, and is a wonderful way to preserve the holiday spirit.
     
  12. Recycle electronics: If you have received or purchased a new computer or phone, recycle your old ones responsibly. You can also donate them to a local charity looking for used electronics.

For more waste reduction tips or advice, reach out to the TCHC Conservation team anytime at conservation@torontohousing.ca or visit Zero Waste Canada. 

Happy Holidays!