Did you know that Turkey Day is actually a very trash day? Studies show that Americans throw away 25% more trash each year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than at any other time of year. We buy too much plastic unnecessarily during the holiday season. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
This year, let’s celebrate the holidays (even during a pandemic) and put the brakes on plastic use and waste. After all, why pay for plastic packaging destined for waste when you can save money and the planet by choosing biodegradable solutions or reusable alternatives instead?
If you think ahead, it’s easy to celebrate the holidays in style and without creating plastic waste. my book, Say goodbye to plastic: A survival guide to a plastic-free lifeis packed with tips to help beginners live a plastic-free lifestyle and encourage seasoned veterans to continue drastically cutting down on their holiday print waste.
Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving with your family or hosting a get-together, here are some tips from my book to help you significantly cut down on plastic and start the holiday season off right.
please include in invitation
Set yourself up for success by being honest. Let people know this is a plastic-free Thanksgiving celebration. If you need to bring your own reusable containers, ask in advance. For potlucks, have items placed in reusable containers rather than single-use plastic.
Don’t expect people to share your values without warning. Making a presentation is an easy way to encourage participation and set the stage for dramatic reductions in plastic and waste.
shop wisely
As November rolls around, grocery stores turn into minefields of stressed shoppers, long lines, and waste, waste, waste. Plan carefully in advance to make your next shopping experience relatively painless and waste-free.
The average American throws away 185 pounds of plastic each year. When it comes to plastic packaging you bring into your home, remember that what goes in is out. There’s no need to throw it away even if you don’t take it home! So when shopping, pay close attention to the foods you buy and the plastic packaging you avoid. Buy in bulk in reusable containers As much as possible.
BYO bags during the pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be difficult to even bring your own bag for fear of contamination. No need to worry. Simply ask the inspector to put your groceries back in the cart, and when you’re loading your home, you can place your items in reusable bags and load them into your car. Some grocery stores in California are setting up make-your-own-bag tables outside the front of the store to help lean shoppers continue to say no to single-use grocery bags.
eco decoration
We hate to burst bubbles, but if balloons and their strings get lost in the environment, they can become entangled with marine life and other animals, causing them to suffocate and die. Some balloons are made of latex, which is considered a biodegradable material, but the rubber takes months to years to break down, and until then, it’s dangerous to wildlife.
I stopped using disposable streamers made from plastic and disposable paper as reusable artisan banners with designs and text made of cotton pennants for celebrations. Decorating with items found in nature, such as roadside wildflowers or autumn leaves, is a wonderful way to bring the season into your home.
ask for help
Once everyone has arrived, you can also briefly announce what you are doing and why. Ask your guests to help you achieve your goal of a plastic-free party. Please let us know where the compost and recycling bins are located. If you bring reusable platters or other items that need a quick wash before taking them home, make them feel at home and let them use the kitchen sink.
build a stash
If you host parties often and have the storage space, it’s worth investing in enough plates, glasses and utensils for the party so you don’t have to rely on single-use plastic items. Ask people for items on online message boards in your neighborhood or buy second-hand items at local thrift stores.
For very large events or when reuse is not practical, choose certified compostable options, such as bamboo plates without plastic lacquer. Paper plates coated with water-resistant plastic cannot be composted or recycled, so don’t be fooled by the word “paper” on the packaging.
smart hydration
Everyone is obsessed with sparkling water these days, which means even more plastic bottle waste. Is a little bubble really worth it?
If you’re not ready to make sparkling water at home (see the “Say Goodbye Plastic” kitchen chapter for instructions), skip sparkling water and all other individually packaged drinks. That’s right, I told you to stop drinking carbonated water. Instead of filtered tap water, serve with lemon, mint, cucumber, or a variety of herbs and fruits.
I got some glass drink dispensers with stoppers placed side by side on metal stands. I usually make iced tea using a plastic-free tea bag on one side and something like infused water or lemonade on the other.
non-toxic flame
Ready for a buzzkill? Finding candles that aren’t sold in plastic packaging can be difficult. Additionally, paraffin candles may seem harmless, but within their soft, romantic glow they contain petroleum and often unhealthy scents.
Paraffin, like plastic, is a petroleum-based product. When you combine the gas production of burned petroleum wax with synthetic fragrances, you get a toxic combination. beeswax candle We are here to save the day. It burns with almost no smoke or odor and releases negative ions into the air, purifying the air.
All BYO
If you don’t have enough reusable dinnerware yet, you can always ask your guests to bring their own and join in the plastic-free fun. When I first started throwing plastic-free parties, I asked attendees to bring their own utensils and cups. Pros: Everyone washes their own dishes before taking them home, so I didn’t have to.
hide trash can
I like to only put out labeled bins for recyclables and compostable items during parties. Please do not landfill. This is a really great trick to cleverly steer your guests in the direction of reusable and compostable items.
you can’t control everything
Inevitably, some people will bring in items that will become trash. When your guests show up with plastic vegetable platters, smile and say “thank you.” It may be difficult to bite your tongue, but choose to lead by example instead. Don’t chase them away with your sarcastic attitude or criticism of their education. Warmly welcome them into your plastic-free lifestyle.
About the author
Sandra Ann Harris is ECO lunch boxa mission-based consumer products company. she is the author of Say goodbye to plastic: A survival guide for a plastic-free lifeavailable at Amazon and powell’s book. Her passion is to protect our oceans by reducing people’s dependence on plastic.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on November 16, 2020 and updated in November 2024.
