A More Sustainable Holiday Season: Simple Ways to Celebrate this Season

The holidays are a time to gather with loved ones and share gratitude. Amid the busyness of the holiday season, from preparing your holiday meals, inviting guests, decorating, and even buying food for your celebrations – small and intentional choices can make a big difference for our environment and for you! Here are some ways to make holiday celebrations more sustainable for your wallet, your home, and the environment.  

One of the easier places to start is the kitchen. Opting for reuseable dishes and cutlery over one-time use disposable options reduces waste while also elevating your dining experience. Planning your meals ahead of time by writing grocery lists, buying only what you need, and embracing seasonal produce will help minimize food waste and minimize the rising food costs. Seasonal ingredients like sweet potatoes, winter squash, and pomegranates are abundant this time of year, and locally sourced vegetables support both your health and your community!  

As for cleaning up after your meals, fats, oils, and grease should never be poured down the drain. Even small amounts of sauces, dressings, and frying oils can solidify in pipes, cause blockage, and lead to sewer overflows. It’s best practice to allow these greases and oils to cool and solidify before throwing it into your organics cart along with your food scraps. For large amounts of cooking oil or grease, they are accepted at Hayward’s Household Hazardous Waste facility. 

When it comes to décor, we can make more thoughtful choices when it comes to biodegradable or natural decorations. Decorations like dried fruit garlands, pinecones, and greenery can add that seasonal decoration warmth without plastic waste. Bringing out vintage ornaments, thrifted finds, and upcycled items can bring holiday charm to your décor as well. Opting for LED holiday lights provide energy efficient lighting, and even your Christmas tree can be composted when the festivities end. If you receive gifts you won’t use, consider donating or repurposing instead of throwing them out, and choose handmade gifts or experiences for your own giving. When it comes to wrapping, using reuseable fabric wrap, newspaper, or even paper grocery bags can be a great sustainable alternative. 

Finally, proper waste sorting and rinsing recyclables like glass, metals, and plastics helps ensure they are processed correctly. Avoid “wish cycling” or tossing items you are not sure of into the recycling bin in hopes that they are accepted. When in doubt, ask Lottie Sortwell – the City’s AI-generated chatbot intended to help with waste-related questions. Composting waste scraps, uncoated paper, and organic materials keeps unnecessary waste out of landfills. The holidays don’t have to be wasteful so by being thoughtful; about what we buy, how we celebrate, and what we throw away, we can enjoy the magic of the season while protecting the environment.