The positive and cheerful time of the year is here. We are all celebrating the season with gifts, feasts and decorations. Check out the below table before we talk further,
| For us | For Mother Earth |
|---|---|
| Pretty looking gifts | Paper and cardboard waste |
| Home decorations | Single-use plastic waste |
| Gadget upgrades | Waste electrical & electronic equipment |
| Festive glitter | Spent lamps waste |
These are just a few examples of what we do and what we get in the holiday season. During Holiday season, there is a minimum of 25% rise in the waste generation. Here are some tips to avoid waste and let the planet also enjoy the season.
- Light Right
Do not buy cheap holiday lights every year. Go for LED lights which are energy efficient, safer for indoor settings and after the holiday, you can just keep them in the box to be used for next year’s holiday and many more holidays to come.
- Recycle delivery cardboards
Buying everything online is the new normal. As the festive season begins, we will end up buying a lot more stuff online than usual. When that is delivered, we should fold and compile all cardboards and give for recycling. We can even reuse them to store things.
- Rethink gift wrappers, ribbons and bows
Every year in the holiday season, the length of ribbon bought is bigger than the circumference of the Earth. Where does it all end up? In landfill. If opened carefully, the wrapping papers, ribbons can be used for other decorations and upcycled products.
- Donate old electronics before gadget upgrades
There are huge discounts/offers/sales for shoppers during the festive season which makes us buy electronics even when our old gadgets performing the same function for us are still working and in good condition. We can donate these to the less privileged to spread the holiday cheer.
- Buy electronic gift items with rechargeable batteries
Batteries are hazardous waste and finding a recycling solution for them is not easy. Let us try and reduce the waste batteries. When buying electronics for yourself or for gifting, go for the one which comes with chargeable batteries.
- Check for recycling program
Most electronics manufacturers or retailers have a tie-up with recyclers for responsible disposal of the electronics they are making or selling. Ask for it and responsible the old stuff before you buy new.
- Home Decorations
Decorating home is one of the most joyful tasks of the season. While doing so, opt for metal decorations instead of one-time use plastic decorations. You can store them well and use year on year without piling up plastic waste.
- Gift experiences than materials
Avoid materialistic gifts and their wrapping, shipping. Gift experiences! May be event tickets, memberships or just some creative talent showcasing gift. What more experiential gifts can you think of?