The Green List

Sustainable holiday practices you can embrace this season

By Lisa Truesdale

Towering piles of gifts. Mountains of wrapping paper. Tables overflowing with food and drink. The holidays are about celebrating, but sometimes it seems they’re also a study
in excess. 

A report by the nonprofit Ecology Center revealed that Americans generate 25 percent more trash during the period from Thanksgiving to Christmas than the whole rest of the year. At least a quarter of that is food waste, and most of the rest is packaging, gift wrap that can’t be recycled and décor that has no hope of ever being reused.

Luckily, reducing your impact with eco-friendly practices doesn’t have to be overwhelming. 

“The holidays are a great trial run for building sustainable habits elsewhere in your daily life,” says Rosie Briggs, the public education and engagement senior manager for Eco-Cycle, a mission-based recycler and Zero Waste organization in Boulder County. “The holiday season is a limited time span, so these goals are less daunting than those New Year’s resolution commitments that last all year.”

Buried under a pile of excess? Here are some quick and easy ways to incorporate sustainable practices into your beloved holiday traditions. 

Décor that’s dazzling, not wasteful

Let’s start with the tree. It’s an age-old debate: Which is less harmful to the environment, a chopped-down live tree or an artificial one? According to the American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA), the answer is, “it depends.” 

The majority of live Christmas trees are grown on farms specifically for that purpose, not cut down in the wild. While they’re growing on these managed farms, they’re releasing beneficial oxygen into the atmosphere and absorbing harmful carbon dioxide. For every tree harvested, one to three seedlings are planted the following spring. So, if you’re buying your tree from one of these farms, and you’re recycling it properly afterwards so that it can be made into mulch, a live tree is definitely an eco-friendly choice. (Most cities and towns in Boulder County have options for dropping off your tree for recycling.)

That doesn’t mean those who prefer artificial trees should feel guilty. Although fake trees don’t have that fresh-pine aroma, they’re still preferred by many. The size and shape are consistent year after year, they don’t have to be watered, they don’t leak sap in the house and the cost per year is lower, on average. Although they’re much maligned because they’re routinely shipped from overseas and often made from petroleum-based plastics, ACTA says their total carbon footprint is similar to that of a live tree—if the artificial tree is used for at least four years.

Of course, the most sustainable option is a living tree in a pot that can be used indoors for a few years and then planted outside. (If choosing this option, make sure it’s a species of evergreen that thrives in this climate.) 

As for the rest of your décor:

- If using fresh wreaths and garlands, recycle them along with your tree.
- Create sustainable centerpieces using potted plants, edible fruit and vegetables, and/or found items like pinecones and tree branches.
- For both indoor and outdoor string lights, choose LED bulbs, which are longer-lasting and more energy-efficient. Put them on timers, so you’re in control of how much energy they do use. 
- Opt for ethically sourced candles, like those made from beeswax. Paraffin wax candles are made from petroleum and can release harmful chemicals when burned.

Food, glorious food!

For many, food is one of the most anticipated parts of the season, from endless party foods and big family feasts to once-a-year special desserts and fancy themed cocktails. Being sustainable with food choices comes down to two main things—shopping locally and avoiding waste.

“When you purchase locally grown or made foods, you’re supporting our local economy and minimizing your impact on the environment,” says Frankie Ryder, the director of marketing for Boulder County Farmers Markets. “Every purchase that goes to a small, family-owned business is a purchase taken away from a large, global corporation.”

Plus, she says, local farmers and ranchers depend on end-of-season revenue to make ends meet throughout the winter, and that allows them to grow more healthy and nutritious food next spring. With that in mind, check out BCFM’s Winter Market, December 7-8, for farm-fresh winter crops like squash, carrots, onions and potatoes, plus local meats, wine, jams, chocolate and artisan gifts.

Reducing packaging waste is another way to shop for recipe ingredients sustainably. At Boulder’s Nude Foods Market, you can not only buy in bulk, purchasing only the amount you need, but everything comes in reusable glass jars that can be returned to the store and refilled. You can also bring your own reusable containers. Longmont’s Simply Bulk Market also offers foods in bulk, plus locally made gifts.

Thoughtful gifts that don’t consume precious resources

When gifting, it’s also all about sustainable options. 

“This season, show care through conscious gift giving,” says Briggs of Eco-Cycle. “Experiential gifts, like museum memberships or national park passes, are personal and eco-friendly alternatives to landfill-bound items.” Tickets to a play, concert or sporting event, or a gift card to a favorite restaurant, might also be appreciated. You can also make donations in their name to a local nonprofit organization that’s near to their heart. 

If you do decide to purchase a new, physical gift, shop for items made locally, not something that has to be shipped across the country (or world). There are a number of holiday gift and craft fairs in Boulder County, including:

 Boulder County Winter Market, December 7-8

 Boulder Holiday Gift Festival, December 15

Gifts you make yourself are a sustainable choice, too. Check out Art Parts Boulder; this nonprofit center accepts donations of art and craft supplies, then sells them at a low cost to the public. You’re supporting a good cause, saving money and keeping reusable materials out of the landfill.

Whichever gift you choose, when it’s time to wrap it, remember that traditional wrapping paper, ribbon and bows account for one of the biggest wastes during the holiday season. Fancy wrapping paper, like with brightly colored inks, flocked accents or shiny foil, cannot be recycled and ends up in the trash. Instead of traditional wrapping paper, try:

- Reusable gift bags made of paper or fabric, or canvas shopping totes
- Items you already have at home, like colorful magazine pages, posters, sheet music or maps
- Wrapping that’s part of the gift, like a tea towel or scarf

Overall, advises Briggs, the most important thing is to not get overwhelmed with trying to be more eco-conscious, because every little bit helps. “Don’t be intimidated by zero-waste goals,” she says. “Even something small like skipping the plastic ribbon on a gift makes a difference in reducing pollution.” 

You don’t need to do a complete overhaul on your habits to have a green holiday, she adds, because starting small helps develop good habits in the long run. “Once you figure out what works best for you, use those lessons to expand mindfulness in consumption and disposal for the rest of the year.”

RESOURCES 
Art Parts Creative Reuse Center, 3080 Valmont Road; artpartsboulder.org
BCFM Winter Market, Dec. 7-8, 9am-3pm at Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont; bcfm.org
Boulder Holiday Gift Festival, Dec. 15, 11am-5pm at Boulder YMCA, 2850 Mapleton Ave.;coloradoevents.org
Eco-Cycle; ecocycle.org (search for Zero Waste Holiday Guide, which includes tree dropoff centers in Boulder County)
Firefly Handmade Markets, Nov. 23, 10am-4pm outdoors on Pearl Street Mall; fireflyhandmade.com