The Most Practical Tip for Reducing Holiday Waste: Refuse The Extras
Drink the eggnog. Pass on the plastic disposables.
Google “green holiday tips” and you’ll find ideas like: don’t take air travel, wrap your gifts in fabric scraps, or re-gift stuff you don’t want.
Well guess what? It’s December, and nobody’s going to cancel their flights home for the holidays after reading this blog.
Try this: when you’re out buying all those groceries and take-out delicacies, refuse the extras, like plastic bags, paper plates and napkins, plastic forks, and tiny packages of condiments you already have at home. Drink the eggnog, but pass on the plastic stirrers and straws.
The other day, while visiting family for Thanksgiving in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, I had to buy some laundry detergent at Walgreens. The checkout person put the jug of detergent into a plastic bag.
Gee. Thank goodness for the handy plastic bag.
My. Detergent. Already. Has. A. Handle.
I simply grabbed the detergent and left the plastic bag at the register.
Something even more absurd happened to me once on vacation in California. We stopped at Ralphs for some groceries and I bought a reusable bag.
The clerk put the reusable bag inside a plastic bag.
Back to my Thanksgiving trip in South Texas. I went to pick up 10 dozen tamales at one of the most popular spots in the Valley. We chose spicy chicken, pork, and bean and cheese. (My mouth is watering just thinking of them.) Each dozen were wrapped tightly in foil, and stacked efficiently into snug paper bags.
The register clerks asked if we wanted salsa. We said of course, because their green and red is the bomb. They packed the salsa into two stout (recyclable) tubs–not 60 hockey-puck-size plastic cups with lids. Now we’re talking. They also didn’t give us any paper plates or plastic forks. We have plenty of reusable dishware at home.
So you’ve heard my spiel on the good, the bad, and the ridiculous on wasting less this time of year. But in the spirit of not being a total Grinch, I acquiesce.
Here’s my list of the 10 Most Practical Tips for Reducing Holiday Waste:
Refuse the extras–disposables, condiments, stirrers, and plastic bags–and recycle what you can.
Choose products with less packaging.
Don’t forget to take your reusable bags inside the store.
Here’s a concept. Don’t wrap gifts. Most gift wrap isn’t recyclable. If you must, put your gifts in one of those reusable bags I know you’ve got stashed in your junk drawer or closet from last year. There. You’ve re-gifted.
Give booze, gift cards, or charity donations. Also, who couldn’t use a sleek new reusable water bottle or insulated coffee mug?
Chose LED holiday lights. Check locally to see about recycling your old lights and mulching your Christmas tree.
If you’re entertaining a reasonably sized group, set out reusable plates, forks and napkins.
Don’t “wish-cycle.” Most curbside programs can’t recycle plastic bags and Styrofoam. Your bin or cart should have a sticker showing what’s recyclable and what’s not.
Recycle your plastic bags and other plastic film (like wrap for paper towels and toilet paper) at the grocery store.
If you’re mail-ordering gifts and holiday supplies, do toss that cardboard into the recycling bin. It’s a valuable commodity that’s easily recycled.
PS: In the spirit of Larry David’s secret shortcut to the Valley (San Fernando, not Rio Grande), I cannot tell you where I got the tamales. There was a line wrapped around the block. It would only get worse this time next year.
For year-round tips on wasting less, follow us here. We’ve got lots more coming in 2022!
Valerie Salinas-Davis