Practical Ways to Reduce Waste This Holiday Season

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Practical Ways to Reduce Waste This Holiday Season

The holiday season often brings joy, celebration, and—unfortunately—extra waste. Wrapping paper, packaging, disposable décor, and uneaten food can quickly pile up. With some intentional planning, it is possible to celebrate while significantly reducing environmental impact. The following strategies provide practical, actionable ways to cut waste without sacrificing holiday spirit.

1. Choose Reusable or Low-Waste Gift Wrap

Gift wrap is one of the biggest sources of holiday waste. To reduce waste, follow these tips:

  • Use fabric wraps, reusable gift bags, or scarves that become part of the gift.

  • Reuse maps, newspapers, or kraft paper and decorate them with stamps or twine.

  • Avoid glitter and metallic paper because they are typically non-recyclable.
    (Learn more about glitter's negative impact on the environment)

  • Save ribbons, bags, and boxes for future use.

2. Give Experiences Instead of Objects

Hills Creek Reservoir, Oregon (c) Amy Bradley, 2025

Many gifts create clutter or require significant packaging. Experience-based gifts reduce physical waste while still offering meaningful value. This year consider giving:

  • Gift cards to local restaurants, classes, or entertainment venues.

  • Memberships to museums, zoos, or parks. 

  • At-home experience kits like “movie night,” which can be assembled with minimal packaging.

3. Buy Quality, Not Quantity

High-quality items last longer and reduce the need for replacements. When purchasing quality gifts consider the following tips:

  • Select durable, well-made products instead of disposable or novelty items.

  • Support local makers and small businesses that often use less packaging.

  • Choose gifts made from natural or recycled materials.

4. Reduce Food Waste Through Smart Planning

Holiday meals often generate excessive leftovers. In order to avoid unnecessary food waste:

Sugar pine cones, evergreen twigs, and dried flowers (c) Amy Bradley, 2025

5. Decorate Sustainably

Holiday décor does not have to be disposable to feel festive. Here's some tips on how to incorporate sustainability into your holiday decorations. 

  • Use natural items such as pinecones, branches, dried oranges, or evergreen clippings.

  • Choose LED lights for energy efficiency and long lifespan.

  • Invest in durable decorations that can be reused year after year.

  • Host a décor swap with friends to refresh themes without buying new items.

6. Shop Mindfully to Reduce Shipping Waste

Online shopping can produce considerable packaging waste. Consider doing the following this holiday season in order to reduce shipping waste:

  • Consolidate orders to reduce the number of shipments.

  • Choose slower shipping speeds, which typically reduce carbon impact.

  • Select brands that use recycled or minimal packaging.

  • Shop in-store when it reduces overall packaging and transportation.

7. Recycle Correctly After the Holidays

Proper sorting prevents recyclable items from ending up in landfills. When you're cleaning up, remember to...

  • Recycle plain paper gift wrap, but discard glitter or metallic wrap.
    (Learn more about the 3-Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle)

  • Drop off holiday lights at designated recycling centers instead of placing them in curbside bins.

  • Donate unwanted but usable décor, toys, or household goods.

Reducing waste during the holidays is achievable with thoughtful choices. Small shifts—like reusable wrapping, mindful shopping, and sustainable décor—can make celebrations more eco-friendly without diminishing enjoyment.

Willamette National Forest, Oregon (c) Amy Bradley, 2025

Learn even more about reducing your environment impact this holiday season...

10 Eco-friendly ways to reduce your carbon footprint this holiday season

Reduce your carbon emissions this holiday season

Environmentally friendly holiday travel tips

Holiday gifts that give to 

the environment


Location: Oakridge, OR, USA

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