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What's Up? Georgian Bay - December 2024
7 Ways to a More Eco-Friendly Holiday
Creating eco-friendly holidays involves making mindful choices that reduce your environmental impact. Here are seven ways to make your holidays more sustainable:
1. REDUCE TRAVEL EMISSIONS
• Stay local or explore nearby: Instead of long-distance travel, plan holidays at home or closer to home to reduce transportation emissions.
• Walk, bike, or use public transport: Once at your destination, use environmentally friendly ways to get around.
2. IF TRAVELLING, OPT FOR SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL
• Choose eco-friendly transportation: Opt for trains, buses, or carpooling instead of flying or driving solo. If flying is unavoidable, consider carbon offset programs.
• Stay at green accommodations: Look for eco-friendly hotels, lodges, or Airbnb options that prioritize sustainability practices like energy efficiency and waste reduction.
3. MINIMIZE WASTE WITH GIFT-GIVING
• Give experiences or donations: Instead of material items, gift experiences like tickets to events or donations to causes.
• Choose eco-conscious gifts: If you’re buying gifts, choose sustainable brands or handmade, locally-sourced products that use recycled or ethical materials.
• Avoid excessive packaging: Use reusable gift wrap like cloth or recycled paper, and avoid wrapping in plastic or non-recyclable materials.
4. SUSTAINABLE DECORATIONS
• Go for natural décor: Use items like pine cones, holly, and evergreen branches as decorations. Choose real plants or flowers over plastic or synthetic decorations.
• Switch to LED lights: LED lights consume less energy than traditional lights and last longer. Use them for your holiday lighting to save energy.
• DIY decorations: Create your own decorations using recyclable or upcycled materials, like paper ornaments or reusable garlands.
5. CONSCIOUS HOLIDAY MEALS
• Choose plant-based or locally-sourced food: Incorporate more plant-based dishes or choose ingredients from local farmers’ markets to reduce your carbon footprint.
• Minimize food waste: Plan meals carefully to avoid overpreparation, and repurpose leftovers to reduce waste.
6. ECO-FRIENDLY CARDS AND INVITATIONS
• Go digital: Send e-cards or email invitations to save paper and reduce waste.
• Choose recycled paper: If you prefer physical cards, choose cards made from recycled paper, or ones that can be planted to grow flowers or herbs.
7. SUPPORT LOCAL AND ETHICAL BUSINESSES
• Shop local: Support small businesses or artisans, which often have lower environmental impacts than large-scale manufacturers.
• Buy fair trade and eco-certified products: Look for gifts and decorations that are certified eco-friendly, organic, or fair trade to ensure they are ethically produced.
Incorporating these tips will help you enjoy the holidays while minimizing your environmental footprint.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL Wasagabeachclimateaction.com info@wasagabeachclimateaction.com
