For some families at Christmas, a mountain of wrapping paper is left to attend to after a day of gift unwrapping, even though there are reusable options to help lower your waste footprint.
“There’s a lot of reusable gift bags. Cloth gift bags are a great option to keep packaging down,” notes Environment Lethbridge Executive Director Kathleen Sheppard.
One of the key things Environment Lethbridge encourages people to focus on during the holidays is to think about ways you can reduce your garbage, while you’re buying gifts.
One great resource is Environment Lethbridge’s Green Gift Guide, Sheppard adds. “Which is full of different suggestions for everything from experiences to low-waste gifts to suggestions for kids. Even different gift ideas that will reduce that waste footprint over the holidays.”
Gift ideas could include buying tickets to events or activities, including concerts, ski passes and local attractions.
“We have some different ideas like creating a movie night at home, as a gift for your family. One of my favourite ideas is creating a tea party for your kids,” says Sheppard. “We all know kids love to open packages, so pairing that with a teapot or a tea set as the gift and then the experience.”
Another suggestion, Sheppard explains, is giving a gift that lasts a long time. “Things like gifts for your garden for people who are into that sort of thing. Music and books make long-lasting gifts.”
Just like with everyone in your family having a stocking, you can also make reusable gift bags a part of your Christmas tradition instead of using and throwing away packaging and wrapping paper. “You exchange gifts in those bags each year,” says Sheppard.
When it comes to recycling, Sheppard explains, wrapping paper is not recyclable. “It usually has a plastic film coating the paper.”
“If you want to look for other alternatives to that, saving those bows and things, so you can use them again next year,” Sheppard adds.
When shopping for the perfect gift, why not shop locally. “We have so many great local businesses that rely on everyone’s support over the holidays. Environment Lethbridge encourages people to look for those local gifts from local businesses. I think you can get some really unique things locally, and it lowers your footprint,” notes Sheppard.
To check out the Green Gift Guide or for more information visit online at environmentlethbridge.ca.
