Give the Gift of Sustainability This Holiday Season

‘Tis the season for joy, celebration and giving, with a pile of consumer waste sprinkled on top!

Stanford University found that household waste increases by more than 25% from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. Your holiday season this year doesn’t have to be a burden on the planet.

Here are a few ways that you can make your holiday a little bit greener:

Think about the materials you’re buying.

Avoid any single-use plastic items that cannot be recycled or disposed of in a sustainable manner, and choose Fair trade and organic-certified foods. Buy second hand items like clothing, and avoid fast fashion items. Refurbished or recycled technology makes for great sustainable gifts. Most importantly, don’t forget your reusable shopping bags to carry all your purchases home!

fair trade items on a display table — **COLUMBUS ZOO TIP:** Purchase fair trade items, like these, at the Zoo Marketplace! The proceeds go back to the communities that made the items.

Think about the materials you’re using.

According to the Clean Air Partnership, approximately 8,000 tons of wrapping paper–the equivalent of 50,000 trees–is used each year to wrap gifts. Instead of choosing a paper gift bag or wrapping paper, try wrapping your gifts in something like a bandana, tea towel, basket, or jar/container that can be reused.

If you do use wrapping paper, use environmentally-friendly wrapping paper, such as those made from fibers like hemp, or paper made from recycled content. Avoid metallic wrapping paper, foil, and anything glossy. Use tape sparingly, or not at all. There are also several ways to wrap gifts that don’t require tape or ribbons to secure it.

gift card graphic — **COLUMBUS ZOO TIP:** Gift cards and memberships are a sustainable and environmentally-friendly gift choice!

Be conscious of the impact your food choices have.

Food is one of the biggest drivers of increased carbon emissions during the holiday season. The average food item, according to the Clean Air Partnership, travels 1,500 miles from farm to plate. Americans already waste between 30-40% of their food each year, and during the holidays, that number increases by 25% according to the United State Department of Agriculture. During the Thanksgiving to New Year’s timeframe, an estimated 28 billion pounds of food waste is generated annually.

burger in container — **COLUMBUS ZOO TIP:** All food at the Zoo is served in compostable containers!

Have leftover food from your holiday meals?

Look into donating to your local food banks, pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters that may be interested in accepting excess food!

Feeding America's Find Your Local Foodbank has a map of member food banks.
Sustainable America’s Food Rescue Locator is a directory of organizations that rescue, glean, transport, prepare, and distribute food to those who need it in their communities.