A Greener Holiday Season Starts Here
By JoAnn Moran
During the holidays, Americans generate 25% more trash than any other time of year. That adds up to an additional one million tons of waste each week between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. While this might sound daunting, small changes can make a big difference. By adopting eco-friendly habits, you can reduce your environmental footprint and help preserve resources for future generations.
The Benefits of Shopping Local
Buying local isn’t just a way to find unique, meaningful gifts — it’s also a great way to reduce shipping-related emissions. Items shipped from across the country or overseas come with a hefty carbon footprint. Giving a gift of a popular or hidden local Bristol experience can eliminate both shipping and wrapping paper waste. Supporting small businesses in Bristol keeps your dollars in the community while minimizing the environmental costs of long-distance shipping.
Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping Ideas
Traditional wrapping paper, often covered in glitter or foil, isn’t recyclable. Instead, opt for creative alternatives like:
- Recycled kraft paper decorated with stamps or drawings.
- Fabric wraps, such as scarves or Furoshiki cloths, which double as part of the gift.
- Reusable gift bags or boxes that can be used year after year.
- 12 Ideas for alternative wrapping from Tree Hugger.org
Gifts with Purpose
Consider the environmental and community impact of your gifts. Here are a few ideas:
- Shop Local: Purchase locally made and handcrafted gifts. Visit the Bristol Bazaar or Tafika Arts (Gallery Shop) or local holiday craft fairs for handcrafted gifts, jewelry, and other unique items made by local artisans.
- Local shopping and gently used items. There are great places in Bristol to find last minute gifts when you can’t wait for or want to avoid shipping time. WorthWhile Reads, Once Upon a Child, and local thrift and even pawn shops are places you can find a unique gifts or stocking stuffers.
- Support U.S.-Made Products: If shopping outside the community, look for gifts made in the U.S. to reduce the impact of overseas shipping, try The New Cambridge Project, the American Clock and Watch Museum shop!
- Give Experiences: Tickets to local events and performances, museums, cooking classes, passes or memberships to arts, gaming, and entertainment facilities for Bristol experiences — make thoughtful, zero-waste gifts. Gift local tickets to the Rockwell Theater, Lake Compounce, or ImagiNation Museum
Food Waste Solutions
Food waste skyrockets during the holidays. Here’s how you can cut down:
- Plan Portions: Use portion calculators to avoid overbuying.
- Compost: Take advantage of Bristol’s food scrap collection program to ensure leftovers don’t end up in a landfill.
- Repurpose Leftovers: Get creative with recipes that transform holiday dishes into new meals.
Strengthening the Bristol Community by Shopping Local
Every dollar spent at a local business helps create jobs and strengthens the local economy. Plus, buying local reduces the need for long-haul shipping, making it a win for both the community and the planet.
By making thoughtful choices this holiday season, you can celebrate in a way that’s kinder to the environment and supportive of your local community. From wrapping gifts in reusable materials to shopping at Bristol’s own bazaars and markets, every small step adds up to a greener, more joyful Christmas.
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