The Edge recently posted both a letter to the editor and an “Environmentally Speaking” piece about having green holidays. Why? Because the excess waste generated this time of the year is a big deal!
Countless organizations work year round to reduce waste, with constant reminders to refuse, reuse, repair, repurpose, and recycle. The reasons range from conserving natural resources to minimizing pollution and climate change and the fact that we are running out of places to put our waste (Massachusetts already sends some of what we generate out of state).
Our waste problem is literally tons worse during the year-end holidays. It is a widespread concern. I did a Google search for “How to reduce waste during the holidays.” In 0.27 seconds, Google found “about” 31,600,000 results, spanning many years, various levels of government, nonprofits, commercial sites, and more.
Here is a baker’s dozen sample to give you an idea, as well as some useful tips:
- “How to Entertain Sustainably During The Holiday Season“
- “Green Holiday Tips from MassDEP: Reduce, Reuse, Tree-cycle“
- “Green Your Holiday This Season” (2022)
- “Illinois EPA Offers Environmentally Friendly Holiday Tips” (2021)
- “Tips for a Greener Holiday Season — EPA Regions“
- “Prevent Waste During the Holidays” (this is from South Carolina)
- “How to Create Less Waste During the Holidays“
- “15 Best Ways to Reduce Holiday Waste“
- “Holiday Waste Reduction Tips“
- “Tips to reduce waste during the holidays“
- “Give a Gift to the Planet by Reducing Holiday Waste” (National Environmental Education Foundation [NEEF])
- “How to reduce food waste this holiday season” (World Wildlife Fund)
- New: “DIY Christmas Card Holder (Plus Handmade Gift Ideas)” marketing@us.kregtool.com
The search results are enlightening. They demonstrate the importance of excess holiday waste and that each of us can help to address it. And the tips—ranging from gift giving, gift wrapping, and traveling to food waste, holiday greens, and more—will help you enjoy the holidays and generously give to your family and friends while saving money, reducing waste, and minimizing environmental harm.
Even being a little greener (e.g., for example using materials around the house instead of buying wrapping paper, or making gifts—like cookies—instead of buying presents) might add more joy to the holidays for you, your family, and your friends.
There is one last easy green act to top off your holidays: Rather than trashing your live trees, wreaths, and more, give them to the goats. Goats LOVE holiday greens!
Berkshire County has several goat farms. Contact a local farm to see if you can bring your greens there. Lee has David Carrington’s Monte Vista Farm (190 East Street) where you can drop off your greens (NO TINSEL, WIRE, OR SPRAYED ITEMS)!
If you are a Lee resident and can’t bring your greens to David’s farm, Lee’s Greener Gateway Committee has once again collaborated with the Lee Lions Club, which will pick them up Saturday, January 6, from 9 a.m. to noon, and bring them to the farm. The suggested donation to the club is $5. To schedule a pick up, contact the Lions Club  at (413) 281-9495 or Leelions1965@gmail.com. Please have your greens outside in plain view. If you can’t leave your donation with the greens, please mail it to Lee Lions PO Box 19, Lee, MA 01238. Either way, David and his goats will be most grateful.
May your holidays be more joyous—and less wasteful—this year!
