Celebrate Christmas the ecofriendly way

Christmas may be the season of generosity, but it doesn’t mean we should go on endless shopping sprees and host furious binge parties every night to celebrate it. 

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) estimates that human beings are currently using the resources of 1.6 planets, meaning many of its resources are no longer naturally replenished. With the global population expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, it’s clear that we need to learn to minimize our consumption today.

So this holiday season, let less be more. Celebrate a “green” or ecofriendly Christmas by recycling decor, opting for energy-efficient lights, and heeding these 10 quick tips to help minimize our holiday carbon footprint. After all, a fun, simple, and meaningful period of reflection is our best gift to the Earth.

1. Buy local products and support homemade items. There’s no doubt it takes more resources for imported goods to reach our homes and offices. Patronizing local products cuts carbon emissions and, even better, boosts the local economy. Support native handicrafts, particularly if the raw materials are sustainably sourced, like twigs, leaves, and pine cones.

2. Bring ecobags when shopping for gifts. An estimated 1 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide each year, and most of them end up in landfills. This means over a million plastic bags are used every second—and most are used only once. Please don’t add to the waste by switching to ecofriendly canvas or recycled bags.

3. Use light-emitting diode (LED) Christmas lights with timers. Energy-efficient LED Christmas lights are up to 90 percent more efficient than regular tungsten bulbs. They’re far safer to use, and they last longer. Remember to plug them into automated timers to ensure they’ll turn themselves off a little after you go to bed. They save power and ensure that, in terms of your carbon footprint, you won’t be naughty, but nice.

4. Make your own personalized Christmas cards. About 2 billion Christmas cards are wasted every December. Why not craft your own cards from recycled books, magazines or packaging? A little creativity, plus some crayons, paint brushes or colored pens, can bring out your inner artist. It will also mean more to your special someone.

5. Use recycled décor. With some tinkering and a touch of creativity, your old jars, gifts and gizmos can be converted into nifty Christmas decorations. It’s not only cheaper; it also ensures that each homey gift is unique!

6. Buy only what you’ll use. Hosting this year’s Christmas party? Then politely ask your guests to minimize leftovers and get only the food they can consume. Every year, 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted. Buy just the right amount of sturdy plastic cups and bring out a marker to assign cups. Reduce waste—and your waistline—this holiday season.

7. Set the thermostat a bit higher. Your office doesn’t have to be like the North Pole. When the party’s getting too cold, you can increase your air conditioner’s thermostat by one degree Celsius. This will leave you feeling comfortable while cutting down the energy bill by as much as 10 percent. The ideal temperature range for homes and offices is from 24 to 26 degrees Celsius.

8. Recycle last year’s wrapping paper for this year’s gifts. Printed paper wrappers make up one of the largest Christmas wastes. Use last year’s wrappers for this year’s gifts. Old boxes, ribbons, and strings can also be repurposed to minimize waste.

9. Reuse old props for this year’s parties. Bring out old decor and leftover trimmings for this season’s celebrations. In need of refreshing? A little glitter and paint can go a long way. Why not ask your friends to donate a few things for the party? This allows everybody to participate and spread the Christmas spirit!

10. Observe proper cleanup after partying. Before holding your next party, ensure that there are enough bins and trash bags that are clearly marked with the right labels for proper disposal. Try forming a”green team” and announce to everyone that this is an Earth-friendly Christmas party, where their love for the planet will be appreciated.