Did you know that according to the EPA, Americans generate 25% more trash during the period between Thanksgiving and New Years’? This adds up to an additional 1 million pounds of waste created during the holiday season. Read on for what you can do to help reduce waste during the holiday season! (Want to learn about other ways to reduce waste? Visit our pages on Food Waste Prevention, and Christmas Tree Recycling).

Physical items may end up in the landfill, but memories last a lifetime! There are many ways to gift a meaningful experience without creating waste:

For the crafter in your life:

• Buy a class pack at a local art studio so your loved one can learn about pottery or painting!
• Look for local workshops to give as a gift. There are workshops on creating mini moss walls, watercolor painting, indigo dyeing, and more!

For the friend who loves a good activity:

• Buy tickets to see their favorite sports team!
• Plan a day full of their favorite things to do: hiking, a visit to the beach, or going to their favorite restaurant.
• Buy concert tickets to see their favorite artist!
• Is your loved one a yogi or crossfit enthusiast? Buy them a class pack of their favorite workout.
• Enjoy one of the many museums the Bay Area has to offer by taking your loved one on a museum date or getting them a pass to go regularly!

For the foodie: 

• Buy a cooking class for you and your loved one to attend together.
• Give your loved one a gift card to their favorite local café, bakery or restaurant!
• Book them a wine tasting at a local vineyard.

For the bookworm:

• Give them a gift card to their favorite local bookstore so they can pick out their next read.
• Gift an audiobook subscription!

If you need to buy a physical gift:

• Visit a local craft fair to buy a handmade item from a local artisan – there are many craft fairs throughout the Bay Area during the holiday season!
• Visit a local small business in Marin – support the local economy while avoiding the waste that comes with shipping.
• Prioritize items that will last: if you are giving a physical item, try to consider items that will last a very long time.
• Try secondhand stores! There are great items to be found at secondhand stores that can be given new life as a gift to a loved one.
• If you’re wrapping a physical gift – remember that wrapping paper is not recyclable or compostable. Opt for gift bags that can be used year after year, or use unlined Kraft paper and twine for natural wrapping that can be composted.