If there's a chill in the air, but warmth in your heart, chances are the holiday season is here! While the holiday season is without a doubt a time full of joy, kindness and love, thanks to consumerism it can also be a time of excess, greed and waste. But it doesn't have to be! From enery-efficient lighting to gift wrapping tips, here are our eco-friendly holiday season ideas.
Switch to LED Lights
Holiday lights bring magic to the season, but all those twinkling bulbs can significantly impact energy consumption and waste production. Each December, holiday lighting consumes approximately 3.5 billion kWh of electricity. This year, consider switching to LED lights - they provide the same festive glow in your home while being eco-friendly and cost-effective; using 90% less energy than traditional incandescent lights and lasting 6-7 years. While their initial cost may be higher, the long-term savings and the eco-friendly impact it has in reducing landfill waste and CO2 emissions make them a smart, and more sustainable choice.
Wrap Your Gifts the Japanese Way
Gift wrapping paper can be very wasteful, but it doesn't have to be. While you may think wrapping paper is recyclable paper, it is often made with mixed materials and winds up in landfill. This year, say no to wrapping paper and hello to Furoshiki, the Japanese tradition of wrapping gifts in fabric. It's beautiful and kinder to the environment than wrapping paper or gift bags. Here's a video demonstration of Furoshiki to get you started.
Try a Plant-Based Holiday Meal
A plant-based diet is better for the planet, and the more people who eat plant-based meals, even part time, the better. If you're open to it, consider changing up your holiday meal to a plant based feast this year. You can still enjoy your favourite dishes like mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing and more without the meat. For the main course, try one of these recipes.
Give Green Gifts
If you're giving gifts this year, consider giving environmentally-friendly gifts. Not sure where to start? We love this list of eco-friendly gift ideas from Good Housekeeping magazine. There's something for everyone on your list. Short on time? With our Resident Perk Partner, Click & Grow, you can gift or enjoy a smart, eco-friendly indoor garden that lets you grow fresh herbs and veggies easily, all year round.
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