Zero Waste Holiday Challenge

December 2, 2005

Dear Marti,

Every year the holiday shopping season is getting longer and longer and more out of control. I probably should have asked for these back in July, but do you have tips on reducing holiday waste that I could pass along in my newsletter?

Fran

Dear Fran,

I’m with you. I’m getting to the point where I won’t be surprised to see red ribbons, wreathes and shiny gold garland decorations rolled out just after Valentine’s Day (only 314 shopping days left!!) This year I’m vowing to stay connected to this season of thanks, giving and community by giving myself a Zero Waste Holiday Challenge. Instead of creating 25% more garbage for the landfill over the holidays—our national average— I want to see if I can create even less waste than I do during the rest of the year. With me? If you’re up to the Zero Waste Holiday Challenge—the Iron Man for the eco-elite— here’s the plan:

1. Start With a Cleanse

Any holistic health practitioner will tell you that a cleanse is the first step toward ending glutinous behavior and getting your health back on track. So, too, for the garbage glut. Since garbage starts at the point of purchase, try having one day when you and your family take a break and buy absolutely nothing. Once you purge purchasing from your daily diet for a 24 hour period, you’ll find you’re more aware in your future buying decisions. Spending a day without spending has actually been turned into an official global holiday in November called “Buy Nothing Day.”

2. When You Do Go Out, Leave the Sleigh at Home

For most of us, driving our cars results in the biggest environmental impact we make year-round, so the #1 act we can take to minimize our holiday environmental footprint is to find ways to cut back on the quick, around-town trips we tend to make at this time of year. Shop locally and plan your outings in advance to reduce your number of trips. Even better, ride the bus, ride your bike, or walk.

3. Choose Reuse and BYOB

Paper or plastic? Just say “Neither!” This year, adopt a “No New Bags” policy and bring your own bag on all your shopping adventures. Just say “no” to the tissue paper, ribbons and stickers that so often accompany even the smallest holiday purchases.

4. Stop the Junk Mail Glut with 11 Magic Words

“Please do not rent, trade or sell my name or address.” When shopping over the phone, those lovely 11 words will work like magic to put the kibosh on the 34 pounds of junk mail each of us receives every year. Say them every time you place an order from a catalog or sign up for a gift subscription so your information won’t be spread to every mail order catalog in the nation. Write the magic words next to your name and address every time you fill out a form such as a warranty, subscription, or membership for an organization.

5. Stop the Waste Before it Starts

As I mentioned, garbage starts at the point of purchase. You can avoid bringing home garbage in the first place by not buying the following holiday landfill-bound items:

• Dark green and red holiday envelopes -These cannot be recycled because of beater dyes in the paper that do not come out in the recycling process. Instead, choose only pastel or white envelopes.
• Disposable batteries - Invest a little now to save in the future with rechargeable batteries and a recharger.
• Disposable decoration and party supplies - If you’re the host this year, consider renting reusable plates, cups, utensils, etc. from places like Rental City in Boulder or All Events in Longmont. They’ll clean them!

That’s the basic training level for the Zero Waste Holiday Challenge, but if you really want to go the distance, you’ll find more tips and holiday recycling guidelines in our Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rejoice holiday guide available at stands around the county. Or check out our online version at www.ecocycle.org, which includes short instructional video clips.

 

Posted December 2005