The holiday season is here. Whether you celebrate Solstice, Kwanza, Hanukkah, Christmas, or another occasion, your friendly SHA Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability team would like to offer you some tips on being greener than during the rest of the year.

Consider that Americans generate 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve and of all households wrapped even three presents in reusable materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.

1. Give the gift of experiences

Holidays are about spending time with those you love. Why not give a gift that encourages that? From concerts to sporting events, there are many ways to hang out together without buying a product. You could even make your own gift certificates like “Cook Dinner Together” or “Movie Night."  Have a Seattle Library card? You can check out a museum pass from the Seattle Public Library. 

2. Use non-traditional gift wrap

Wrapping paper requires a lot of energy and water to produce. It also needs to be bleached and dyed which is often not safe for the environment. And most kinds of wrapping paper cannot be recycled. If you are giving a physical gift, instead of using traditional wrapping paper, use newspaper, old maps, old posters or even fabric. It’s a creative way to save trees and often these materials are cheap. Be sure to reuse or  recycle afterwards.

3. Make your holiday dinner eco-friendly

Year-round, up to 40% of all food goes uneaten. To prevent excess food waste and to save money on groceries, plan your menu with your guest list in mind. Remember, food waste goes in the compost bin. Be sure to use reusable cups, plates, flatware, and utensils instead of disposable ones at your holiday parties.

Questions?  Please email rcst@seattlehousing.org. Happy holidays from the SHA Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability team.