1. Give Green
Support companies who care about the environment. From stocking stuffers to big-ticket items there are endless green alternatives to all your holiday favorites.

2. Wrap Well
According to Robert Lilienfeld’s book, “Use Less Stuff: Environmental Solutions for Who We Really Are,” Americans throw away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday period than any other time of year. The extra waste amounts to 25 million tons of garbage, or about 1 million extra tons per week.

Trim your trash and bypass the wrapping paper this holiday season. Get creative! Wrap gifts in old maps, magazine tears, unused fabric, and bits and pieces from your junk drawer. If it’s a fun and carefree gift, why not use the Sunday comics? Your recipient will be impressed you took the time to add a personal touch that doesn’t add, but subtracts, from the holiday trash heap.

3. Buy Online
Shopping online is healthier for the environment. E-tailers avoid the necessary cost of heat and electricity to run a storefront and you’ll lower your carbon emissions—when you shop online, you can literally travel the globe without using any fuel.

Shopping online is especially great if you recycle your purchases’ shipping materials—peanuts, wood shavings, shredded newspaper and bubble wrap can be reused. Or, drop extra packing materials at local private mailing centers. Call the Plastic Loosefill Council’s Peanut Hotline at 1-800-828-2214 for the names of a mailing center that collects them in your area.

If you’re really on top of your environmental game, buy gifts online that are easy to ship such as linens or clothing that won’t require excess packaging.

Sources:
Use Less Stuff: Environmental Solutions for Who We Really Are,” by Robert Lilienfeld and Dr. William Rathje, published by Ballantine Books. Copyright 1994 -2000 Robert Lilienfeld.