How to Tackle Holiday Overconsumption
The holidays are a wonderful time to reconnect with family and friends and take a load off from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And while we might not think twice about the wrapping paper or the black Friday online orders, the planet most certainly wishes you would. Let's look at a few facts:- From Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve, an extra 25 Million Tons of waste is produced by Americans.
- 1/10th of that waste is food waste.
- 36 Million trees are cut down during this time for decor, cards, and gifts.
- Plus, an estimated 5.8 BILLION lbs of inventory is sent to the landfill along with 16 million lbs of wrapping paper (most of which will not biodegrade due to the glitter accents.)
Shop Local/Small Businesses
Shopping small and staying local can cut down on the emissions and packaging required for most online shopping. This also helps local businesses stay afloat and more often than not offers something higher quality or more unique than your run-of-the-mill items! If you're shopping for someone who used to live in the area where these items were made, or who feels tied to a certain area, these items are far more meaningful as well.Shop Second Hand (a.k.a UnNew)
If what you're looking for can be found secondhand, let's get it secondhand! Shopping via thrift stores or consignment shops (like Geartrade) can save you tons while still offering a high-quality gift for whoever you're shopping for! We think it's time to break the stigma that used gear and gifts are sub-par to brand new. For anyone in your life who cares deeply about the environment or their impact, shopping for their presents second-hand will mean that much more to them. And, even if the person you're shopping for isn't very invested in those impact metrics, second-hand shopping can yield items that are sometimes new with tags and always extra unique/rare.Get Creative With Gift Wrapping
"But the sparkles are so... so holiday!" I know, we get it, but the sparkles are also microplastics that won't decompose in the landfill. Sorry to burst your bubble there. Don't worry, though, there are plenty of other ways to wrap up that perfect something for that special someone! As an alternative to wrapping paper, try using old newspaper comics or fun scraps of paper you might have from other items like magazines. You can also opt for a reusable dishcloth or tote bag that they can reuse again and again.Opt Outside
If we roll around in the outdoor industry long enough, or if we recreate outside long enough, chances are we have everything we need. The outdoor gear you have is designed to last in some of the hardest conditions; we promise, you don't need the newest model. Actually needing something because it has served all the time it could for you is a different story, but a majority of us simply do not need anything else to monetarily consume. What we do need more of is an adventure to put that great gear to use. This year, maybe choose a trip or experience rather than a physical gift. A weekend camping in a national park, or maybe a train ticket for a nearby destination. We can take care of things as best as we can, but gear doesn't last; memories do.Forage Your Decor
Skip the pre-packaged garland and candles this year and decorate your space with a more authentic touch. Foraging your decor is a great way to make use of the simplicity and beauty of what nature has to offer. You can find fallen pine boughs and pine cones that will give that holiday cabin feel, or palm leaves to give a more tropical feel. It all depends on what your environment looks like, but there are so many different ways to get creative with this. Invite friends and family over, too, and it could become a fun new holiday tradition! Simmer pots are a great use of spare herbs and citrus in place of candles, too.We hope this has given you some ideas on how to combat the overconsumption that tends to dominate this time of year. If you give any of these a try, let us know on Instagram, TikTok, or by email! We'd love to hear from you. Until next time – have fun, be safe, and have a happy holiday!