Small Changes, Big Cheer: Holiday Sustainability Tips from Coke Florida

The holidays are a time for celebration, connection, and giving, as well as a wonderful opportunity to keep sustainability and our individual impact in mind. By incorporating small, simple changes, we can make a meaningful collective difference this holiday season. From shopping to gifting, hosting, and decorating, these twelve holiday tips can help reduce your environmental impact while keeping the season festive, joyful, and bright:

Recycling: Make sure to recycle properly! Check your local municipality for what is accepted in your program. Flatten boxes and make sure that there is no liquid in your bottles or cans.

Shop Sustainably: Shopping at local businesses and farmers markets reduces the shipping impact! Many companies have shipping options with reduced carbon impact.

Experiences: Gifting experiences, memberships, or charitable donations is a great way to reduce waste while creating lasting memories.

Wrapping Paper: Consider alternative wrapping options like newspaper, paper bags, fabric, or reused wrapping paper. This can significantly reduce the amount of wrapping paper sent to landfills.

Traveling: If you’re hosting guests from out of town, let them know your household’s recycling standards and sustainability practices to help everyone do their part.

Hosting: If you’re having a holiday party this season, try to use reusable plates and cutlery. If you can’t an alternative could be compostable cutlery (make sure this is accepted in your municipal program).

Lights: Set holiday lights and decorations on a timer and opt for LED lights to reduce energy use. Remember: strings of lights can’t go in curbside recycling, but many can be dropped off at electronic waste recycling locations.

Decorations: Instead of buying new decorations each year, consider using what you already have! You can even make your own decorations out of materials you have on hand for a fun holiday activity.

Food: It’s tempting to make big feasts, but plan to make only what you will eat and save the leftovers to prevent food waste this season

Donations: Consider donating any unwanted gifts or holiday decorations you no longer want rather than throwing them away. This way you can hopefully bring other individuals joy, and minimize the waste produced!

Nature: Spend some time outside and de-stress by taking a walk around your neighborhood to view holiday lights and decorations rather than driving.

Giving Back: Looking for a way to give back this season? Check out your local organizations to see any volunteer or supplies needs!

Sustainability doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing, especially during the holidays. By making a few, simple adjustments, we can reduce waste, conserve energy, and create traditions that are better for our communities and the planet. This season, every small action adds up. Thank you for helping make the holidays more sustainable for everyone. Happy holidays from Coke Florida!