By Antonnet Botha
As the festive season takes centre stage, it’s important to consider the environmental impact of our celebrations. According to Fibre Circle, the government-recognised producer responsibility organisation (PRO) for paper and paper packaging in South Africa, the festive season sees up to a 30% increase in waste. Furthermore, food waste alone rises by about 25% during this period. The good news is, there are several steps we can take to reduce our carbon footprint and help create a more sustainable festive season for all.
What Can You Do?
The question on everyone’s mind is: what can we as individuals do to ensure our festive season isn’t as harsh on the planet? Whether you make small or big changes, every action contributes to a more eco-conscious holiday. Below are some helpful tips for a greener festive season.
1. Eco-Friendly Decorations
Festive decorations are a big part of the season, but they can often be wasteful. Here’s how you can reduce your environmental impact while still embracing the holiday spirit:
- Skip the Glitter: While glitter is often used to add a festive sparkle, it’s made of plastic and can end up in our waterways, harming wildlife. Consider alternatives like biodegradable glitter or just skip it entirely.
- Use LED or Solar-Powered Lights: Traditional lights use a lot of energy, whereas LED or solar lights are energy-efficient and cost-effective in the long run.
- DIY Decorations: Rather than buying plastic decorations, why not create your own? This is a fun, family-friendly activity that results in one-of-a-kind items and reduces plastic waste. Think homemade wreaths, paper chains, or festive ornaments made from natural materials.
- Natural Decorations: Bring the outdoors in with natural decor. Pinecones, dried oranges, flowers, and leaves can all be used to create beautiful and eco-friendly arrangements.
2. Eco-Conscious Gift Ideas
Gift-giving is at the heart of the festive season, but the pressure to buy something new and extravagant often leads to waste. Here are some thoughtful and sustainable gift ideas:
- Charitable Donations: Give the gift of giving by making a donation to someone’s favourite charity or cause. It’s a meaningful way to celebrate the season of giving.
- Plant a Tree or Give an Indigenous Tree: In South Africa, trees are a powerful symbol of life and growth. Donate to a tree-planting initiative or give an indigenous tree to someone’s garden.
- Gift an Indigenous Plant: Indigenous plants not only thrive in local climates but they also help conserve water and promote biodiversity. A local plant makes a thoughtful and sustainable gift.
- Homemade Gifts: Consider making your own gifts. Homemade candles, jams, knitted scarves, or personalised artwork are a heartfelt way to show you care and are far more sustainable than mass-produced items.
- Gift a Herb Garden or Seeds: A herb garden or a packet of seeds can be a great gift for those who enjoy cooking or gardening, encouraging them to grow their own fresh ingredients.
- Recycled and Reusable Gifts: Look for items made from recycled materials or those that encourage reuse, such as reusable shopping bags, water bottles, or sustainable homewares.
- Give Experiences: Instead of material goods, consider giving the gift of experiences. Treat someone to a picnic, a hike, tickets to a show, or a dinner at a local restaurant. Experiences create lasting memories while leaving a lighter environmental footprint.
3. Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping
How you wrap your gifts can also have a big environmental impact. Here are some sustainable wrapping ideas:
- Recycled or Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper: Choose wrapping paper made from recycled materials or that can be recycled after use. Avoid paper that contains glitter or metallic finishes, as these can’t be recycled.
- Tote bags: Use a reusable tote bag as a wrapping solution. It’s a gift and wrapping in one!
- Reusable Gift Bags or Boxes: Instead of using disposable gift wrap, opt for reusable gift bags or boxes. These can be used for future gifting or as storage solutions.
- Fabric Wrapping (Furoshiki): In Japan, the art of furoshiki involves wrapping gifts in fabric, which can be used again and again. Consider using scarves or old t-shirts to wrap your gifts in a creative and eco-friendly way.
4. Food Sustainability
Food is an essential part of the festive season, but it can also be a major source of waste. Here’s how to make your festive feasts more sustainable:
- Buy Local and In-Season Produce: Supporting local farmers and buying in-season produce is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. In-season produce also tends to be fresher and tastier.
- Plan Meals Wisely: Food waste is a significant problem, especially during the holidays. Plan your meals carefully, keep portion sizes in check, and use leftovers creatively to avoid unnecessary waste.
- Plant-Based Meals: Consider incorporating more plant-based dishes into your festive meals. Plant-based foods have a lower environmental impact compared to meat and dairy, and there are plenty of festive plant-based recipes to choose from.
5. Clean-Up: Make It Easy to Recycle
After the festivities, it’s important to clean up in an eco-conscious way. Here are some tips to help:
- Compost Food Scraps: Instead of sending food scraps to landfill, start composting! Composting helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills while creating nutrient-rich soil for your garden.
- Recycle What You Can: Make sure to separate recyclables from general waste. Recycle everything you can, from glass and plastic bottles to paper and cardboard.
- Save and Reuse Decorations: Instead of discarding your decorations after the season ends, store them safely for next year. Reusing decorations reduces waste and saves you money.
Conclusion
This festive season, let’s make a collective effort to reduce our environmental impact. Whether you’re decorating your home, choosing gifts, or preparing meals, small changes can make a big difference. By thinking ahead and opting for sustainable options, we can create a more eco-friendly, and meaningful festive season for South Africa. Together, we can make this holiday season not only joyous but also kind to the planet.
