The holiday season is a time for celebration, but it often comes with an increase in waste. Here are some simple tips to help reduce waste while keeping the festive spirit alive:

Host an Eco-Friendly Holiday Party

• Use real plates, glasses, and cutlery instead of disposable ones.
• Set up clearly labeled bins for recycling, composting, and waste to help guests dispose of items properly.
• Encourage guests to bring reusable containers to take leftovers home.
• Decorate with reusable or natural items like candles, evergreen branches, and ornaments.

Gift Sustainably

• Choose experiences over material gifts, like event tickets or memberships.
• Opt for durable, long-lasting items instead of single-use products.
• Wrap gifts in reusable fabric, scarves, or recycled paper.

Decorate Responsibly

• Use LED holiday lights to save energy.
• Invest in a reusable tree.
• Repurpose decorations or make your own with natural materials like pinecones and twigs.

Reduce Food Waste

• Plan your meals carefully to avoid over-purchasing.
• Get creative with leftovers—turn them into new dishes.
• Compost any food scraps to keep them out of landfills.

Recycle Smartly

• Break down cardboard boxes before recycling.
• Check your local recycling guidelines for items like wrapping paper and holiday cards (avoid glitter or metallic materials).
• Donate gently used items to local charities instead of throwing them away.

Reminder, if you have broken glass, do not place this loose in your garbage. Please Box it, label the box “Sharp” and place this beside your garbage bag on your collection day.   

Let’s make this holiday season not just merry and bright, but green and sustainable too!

• Make Smart Swaps: Avoid single-use items. Choose reusable food containers, washable fabric pouches, and reusable food wraps.
• Be Prepared on the Go: Keep a reusable straw and cutlery in your bag for takeout meals.
• Shop Wisely: Avoid single-serving packages and bring reusable grocery bags.
• Ditch Disposable Products: Use wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets and stock up on washable towels.

• DIY Cleaning Solutions: Create your own cleaning products using common household ingredients.
• Repair Over Replace: Opt to repair items instead of throwing them away.
• Rent or Borrow Wisely: Rent items you rarely use instead of purchasing them.

• Donate or Sell Before Discarding: Consider donating or selling old items instead of throwing them away.
• Explore Online Platforms: Use platforms like Freecycle, Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, Swapsity, or Varagesale to buy and sell used items.
• Donate Responsibly: Contact organizations beforehand to find out what items they accept. Some options include Diabetes Canada, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and Salvation Army Thrift Store.
• Embrace Second-Hand Shopping: Shop at second-hand clothing stores or host clothing swaps with friends.
• Host a Yard Sale: Organize a yard sale to declutter while engaging with your community.
• Find Donation Boxes Nearby: Use the National Association for Charitable Textile Recycling's Donation Site Locator to find donation boxes near you.

• Plan Your Meals Wisely: Reduce food waste by practicing proper meal planning.
• Enjoy What You Buy: Make an effort to eat what you purchase.
• Store Food Properly: Keep perishables in the right conditions to extend their shelf life.
• Get Creative with Leftovers: Transform leftovers into new meals.
• Compost or Dispose Responsibly: Compost food scraps or place them in your green bin.