The Hub’s Guide for the Holidays
For many, December is a month filled with holidays and all that comes with them – parties, gifts, decorations, travel, and much more. Consider thinking about all you do for the holidays, and how you can make the season just a little more sustainable! Here are a few resources and reminders to get you started.
The Tree Debate: Live, or Artificial?
Are you putting up a tree this year as part of your holiday décor? If so, you may have already thought about whether you want a live or artificial tree. There’s no perfect answer for which option is more sustainable, since this depends on a number of factors – how long you use the tree, how you dispose of it, where it is purchased from, grown, or built…the list goes on. Here is a resource that talks more about the pros and cons of each option. Ultimately, pick what’s best for you – maintaining artificial trees and reusing for many years can be a great option, as can purchasing a live tree locally and composting after use.
Lights, Lights, Lights!
During the holidays we see string lights pop up on houses, trees, and buildings all around. Investing in LED lights can greatly reduce energy consumption, and LED strands have a much longer life than their incandescent counterparts. If you are getting rid of any holiday lights, drop them off for free at a Great Parks location until February 1st, or bring them to the Hub for recycling ($1/lb).
Rethinking the “Reason for the Season”
As you do your holiday shopping this year, try to reduce the number of “things” you are buying! Many of us have more than we could need when it comes to material goods – instead of gifting items that may go unused or be quickly broken and thrown out, be creative in your gift giving. Consider gifting something homemade, something reused (such as an item with family history that you’d like to pass down), or an experience. Would the recipient enjoy tickets to a concert or other event? A massage or a manicure? A child-free night out with a partner or friend? A cooking lesson or other class? Consider gifting a donation in the recipient’s honor (if you’d like to donate to the Hub in a friend’s honor, click here!). It’s always worth asking the recipient what they could really use – maybe that’s help with a car or house payment. Often, the least glamorous gifts are the most appreciated. Check out some more unique gift ideas here!
Sustainable Wrapping
For those gifts you are wrapping or boxing up, be creative! Try reusing or repurposing materials to reduce wrapping paper waste. Repurpose newsprint, paper grocery bags, maps, or other paper for wrapping. Use recycled paper (stay away from glitter and metallic paper - they aren't recyclable), and repurpose twine or ribbon. You can even come shop the Hub for reusable items! Fabric bags are a great reusable option for wrapping gifts year after year. Check out a longer list of sustainable wrapping ideas here.
After the Holidays – Recycle!
Even after taking steps to reduce waste during the holidays, you’ll likely still have some things to throw away after gift-giving and holiday parties. Keep gift bags and tissue paper for reuse next year! Cardboard boxes and paper can be recycled curbside, and the Hub can accept many other forms of packaging – including Styrofoam, air pillows, bubble wrap, plastic film, unnumbered rigid plastics, and numbered rigid plastics #2-7. While the Hub is closed for the holidays from 12/18 – 1/4, visit us before or after during regular business hours to shop the fourth floor or drop off items for recycling.
Happy Holidays to all!