News Flash Home
The original item was published from 12/1/2022 11:57:00 AM to 12/1/2022 12:14:09 PM.

News Flash

Transportation & Public Works - News

Posted on: December 1, 2022

[ARCHIVED] Zero Waste Holidays: Entertaining Tips

Zero Waste Holiday Entertaining

The holidays are a wonderful time for fun festivities and spending time with friends and family, however, it's also a time when we tend to create excess waste. The holidays often include activities such as decorating our homes, online shopping resulting in countless cardboard boxes and packaging, and utilizing plastic food ware for convenience while cooking meals for large groups. Simply put, the holidays can add up to a lot of waste, though if we consciously plan, we can maintain our focus on zero-waste living while still enjoying the festivities.

Making conscious and simple changes towards reducing our environmental footprint this holiday season can result in significant long-term benefits to the environment. Let's explore some easy easy ways you can reduce waste while entertaining this holiday season.


Keep it Real - Reuse

When entertaining, use your reusable plates, cups, silverware and cloth napkins; avoid single-use plastic disposable items. Avoid the wasteful practice of using something 'one-time' and throwing it away. I may mean a bit more clean-up at the end of the evening, but your garbage bin won't be overflowing with single use tableware. Keeping it real is also a great way to elevate your party.




If you don’t have enough glassware or plates, encourage everyone to bring their own. Your guests won’t forget which glass is theirs and your clean-up will be reduced. 

As often as possible, reuse or source materials already on hand for gifts purchased during the holiday season. Reuse cardboard boxes for storage or moving, and reuse gift bags and wrapping paper. You can also wrap your gifts with materials you have on hand, reusable cloth fabric, leftover paper from the previous year, newspaper or magazines, and even reusable baskets or jars. The gift itself is truly what matters, and if you are creative with your reuse wrapping, your resourcefulness and consideration for the environment will be appreciated and remembered. You might even inspire a new gift giving tradition among your loved ones.

Keep it Simple with Food

You don't need to go overboard with food when entertaining, keep it simple. Buy groceries with a specific number of servings in mind to eliminate the waste of over purchasing. After the party, clean out your fridge by creating something delicious with your leftovers.

Whenever possible, to reduce the amount of packaging you acquire, shop for groceries from a farmers market and buy in bulk containers from grocery stores. Use reusable cloth bags for your grocery items. The key here is to come prepared with your reusable bas when you shop, so you can consciously avoid using the store provided plastic or paper options.

Remember to dispose of any unusable food in your green organics bin or home compost bin rather than the garbage.

Keep it Green

When decorating this holiday season think about using items around you, such as leaves, branches, fruits and nuts for your centerpieces. Crafting homemade decorations can be a fun activity for the family that will create lasting memories.

Reuse and upcycle your old decorations rather than buying new.

Send e-cards versus traditional single-use disposable paper cards.

Turn off your lights and use a timer to minimize energy consumption on your outdoor lights.

Give gifts that help others to reduce their waste such as reusable bas, cloth napkins, steel water bottles, and consider gifting experiences instead of items.



 

 


 

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Transportation & Public Works - News

NF_Stuff the Bus 300x190

Stuff the Bus Toy Drive

Posted on: November 27, 2023
NF_Joe Rodota Trail Closed

Joe Rodota Trail Temporary Closure

Posted on: November 15, 2023
CityBus Electric Bus Ribbon Cutting

City to Launch Four New Electric Buses

Posted on: December 22, 2022
Zero Waste Holiday Resolutions

Zero Waste Holidays: New Year Resolutions

Posted on: December 13, 2022
NF_Break Out the Rake

Break Out the Rake!

Posted on: October 26, 2022
NF_Leaf Season 1

Where You Leave Your Leaves Matters!

Posted on: October 20, 2022
NF_Ride Fare Free Today v2

Ride CityBus Fare-Free Today

Posted on: September 6, 2022
NF_Zero Waste Week

2022 North Bay Zero Waste Week

Posted on: June 30, 2022