Go sustainable this festive season—the Potomac River will thank you!

Ah, the holidays. It’s one of our favorite times of year.

We’re looking forward to getting cozy by the fire, walking outside amongst the evergreens, and sending gifts to loved ones. At the same time, we’re keenly aware that December can be—dare we say it—a rather wasteful month.

In whatever way you celebrate this time of year, you can make it a tad greener with these tips!

On average, Americans produce 25% more waste during the holiday season, or 25 million tons of extra waste. Ho, ho, how!?

From the increase in shopping and package shipping to using disposable cutlery to wrapping gifts, your impact can add up quickly. And that’s bad news for the Potomac River, a waterway that already suffers from a serious litter problem. This year alone, Potomac Conservancy volunteers collected over 10,000 pounds of trash!

Fret not! We can make this holiday season a bit greener. Check out 10 simple tips and tricks from our staff to make your festive season a little more river-friendly.

1. Deck your halls with holiday cards

We’re bringing your holiday craft skills to the next level.

Recycle holiday cards and turn them into fun, unique decorations for your party. You can cut out cute graphics to use as gift tags, wreaths, or garland. And it’s easy to turn them into beautiful, handmade ornaments too. Get those scissors and glue gun out!

2. Gift reusable items that will last

This holiday season, let’s cut down on one-and-done waste by giving our friends and loved ones items they can use again and again.

Simple items like reusable coffee mugs, natural food wraps, refillable floss, and tea strainers with loose leaf tea make great gifts. You can even gift them in a reusable cloth grocery bag to complete the theme!

3. Make your own wrapping paper or use a fabric wrap

Let’s save some trees and skip the hassle of buying gift wrap, boxes, and ribbons. Opt instead for bags, boxes, or fabric you already have at home.

Reuse simple brown paper (which often comes in package deliveries!) or newspapers to wrap gifts. Get even more creative and use old map books or blueprints. When tied with twine and a sprig of greenery, a brown paper package has a chic, rustic look. You can use stamps or paint to give it some extra flair.

Bonus tip: We all have that one relative who is obsessed with saving everyone’s gift bags and tissue paper, right? Let’s tip our hats to these clever loved ones by adopting their style. Ribbons, bows, twine, tissue paper, tote bags, or vintage scarves can all be reused to wrap presents in the years to come.

4. Need a box? Look in your pantry.

Give a cereal or cracker box a second life by taking it apart and taping it back together inside-out (with the labels on the inside).

This trick eliminates the need to purchase a box AND you’ll look like the most creative elf there ever was. Accessorize with stamp prints, markers, or recycled gift accessories.

5. Shop local and support small businesses

Cut down on wasteful carbon emissions and purchase goods from local businesses. You’ll cut down on transportation costs, reduce cardboard box use, and won’t have to worry about the amount of time it would take to ship something (many local stores are offering curbside pickup when you order online!).

And if that weren’t enough, you’ll be supporting your neighbors and local economy! #neighborgoals

6. Plan ahead to avoid rush-shipping

When it comes to buying a last-minute present, we all love the convenience of free express shipping. But, there’s a hidden cost: when companies rush items, they often will send multiple items in separate boxes and will not use the most efficient means of transportation to get your order to your doorstep.

Whenever you can, plan ahead and select no-rush or standard shipping to cut down on packaging waste and excessive fuel consumption. (You’ll also be doing a favor to overworked warehouse employees).

7. Plan your family meal using local ingredients

Farm-to-table menus aren’t just trendy, they’re good for our environment!

Whether you’re cooking for family or just yourself, opt for experimenting with local ingredients to help reduce your carbon footprint; many common food items are shipped from hundreds of miles away via gas-guzzling trucks. (Cleaner air means cleaner water!)

Check out more tips for sustainable (and safe!) grocery shopping here.

8. New Year’s Resolution: Recycle your tree

When it comes to purchasing a tree for the holidays, you may be wondering whether artificial or natural is a better option. When looking at the lifetime impact of your tree, the answer can get a bit complicated. Read up on the impact of both options and decide for yourself which you prefer.

If you opt for a natural tree, be sure to recycle it when you’re removing decorations from your home. Many counties will collect trees for recycling right from you curb. How to recycle a tree in your county >

Another option? Find a local goat farm and ask if they’ll take your tree. We hear goats LOVE fir trees. 🐐

9. Unplug, unwind, and reconnect

Liven things up a bit by having the group go for a brisk walk, or organize a fun hike after you’ve filled up on your holiday feast. Trust us, you won’t mind walking off the day’s extra calories!

Finding time to unplug from our screens, and socialize with those we cherish improves our mental and physical health, and strengthens our relationships with those we care about most. And that’s what the holidays are all about, right?

Just remember to use these tips for responsible outdoor recreation!

10. Support clean water with a gift in your loved one’s name

If you’re wanting to make a local impact this holiday season, consider making a gift for clean water. You can contribute directly, or make a gift in honor of a loved one’s name.

When you donate to Potomac Conservancy this holiday season, you’ll support our comprehensive and local approach to conservation and clean water advocacy.

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