Every Canadian tosses about 50kg of garbage over the holidays, this is 25% more than the rest of the year (Zero Waste Canada, 2017).
The holiday season is a time to enjoy family, friends, and good food – usually the thought of managing our waste is at the back of our minds. But this year why not care about the planet as much as your loved ones during this time and give the gift of a greener, more sustainable Christmas?
Leah Derikx, the environmental projects coordinator at the London Environmental Network says becoming more sustainable can be different for everyone, as there are a lot of factors that will impact one’s ability to live sustainably.
“Ultimately what it means is just being aware of what you’re consuming, and why you’re consuming it. And as much as possible, trying to reduce your consumption so that we’re all living within the planetary boundaries” Derikx says.
She says being more sustainable in your day-to-day life can include committing to taking the bus to work more than one day a week, or shopping more locally and buying your food from local vendors instead of international suppliers.
The holiday season is when we can become more wasteful than ever, without even realizing. The types of gifts we give, how we wrap them and decorate our houses, and where our leftovers from dinner go can all largely impact the planet.
Derikx says a great place to start is thinking about what’s going into the gift you’re giving. It’s important to make sure the materials are responsibly sourced and sustainable in order to reduce waste. Here are some tips Leah suggests:
- Stay away from packaging that is not paper or has plastic in it – wrapping presents in fabric or a scarf that can be reused.
- Think about the distance the item you’re gifting will have to travel. Shopping locally instead of buying online will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of your present.
- Replacing gifts with experiences to reduce waste in packaging and products. (Ex. dinner at a local restaurant, a hike on one of London’s many trails, homemade food or items).
- Volunteering is a non-tangible gift idea that gives back to the community – Derikx recommends volunteering with organizations at the London Environmental Network such as Reforest London, The Antler River Rally, and Urban Roots London.
Another large source of waste during the holidays is food waste. Heenal Rajani, co-owner of Reimagine Co – London’s zero waste store shares some tips on how to reduce food waste this holiday season.
Becoming more sustainable is something you can incorporate into your everyday life, but is especially important during the holidays. According to the London Environmental Network, London is known as one of the greenest, and most resilient cities in Canada, keep this reputation going by reducing your waste this holiday season.
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