HOW TO PRACTICE SUSTAINABILITY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Grace Redpath, GSBA Sustainability Chair
The holidays undoubtedly look a little differently this year, and it may feel difficult to be cheery and bright amongst all the chaos, anxiety, and grief we have experienced the past nine months. This time of year is usually filled with joy and spent with loved ones, which only makes the isolation even more difficult. But despite the many hardships we have collectively endured this year, the spirit of the holidays remains, and the season of giving is more important now than it has ever been in our lifetimes. So if you have any last minute gift shopping to do, or are wanting to spread some Christmas cheer in these last few weeks of 2020, here are some tips to help you practice sustainability this holiday season.
1. Shop small
With nationwide shutdowns and restrictions, small businesses have been hit hard this year. Unlike corporations like Amazon, many small businesses do not have the resources to survive such major blows to their sales and operations. Even though ordering gifts off of Amazon Prime may be the easiest and quickest route, shop small instead this holiday season. In addition to supporting your community, buying from local small businesses reduces carbon emissions and the overall environmental impact that larger chains produce in the transportation of their products. You may find that small businesses often carry more eco-friendly products too! Here are a few of my favorite small businesses in Spokane to support this season:
● Kizuri: https://shopkizuri.com/
● Fern Plant Shop: https://fernplantshop.com/
● Boulevard Mercantile: https://m.facebook.com/BoulevardMercantile/?tsid=0.467403534659379&source=result&__nodl&ref=external%3Awww.google.com&_rdr
● Giant Nerd Books: https://www.giantnerdbooks.com/
2. Ditch the gift wrap & reduce waste!
I’m sure many of us can visualize the giant mound of wrapping paper that accumulates under the Christmas tree each year after opening gifts, only to be thrown in the trash. Most wrapping paper actually contains plastics and can’t even be recycled, along with tissue paper and ribbons too. What’s the point of spending so much money each year on cheesy gift wrap, when it will all become trash anyways? Why not use what you already have at home for the cutest sustainable gifts your friends and family will love! Here are some alternatives to gift wrap that most of us have around the house:
● Newspaper or old maps
● Old scarves, bandanas, or kitchen towels
● Tote bags
● Mason jars
● Shopping bags or shoe boxes that you’ve saved
● Twine
3. Check out your local thrift store for some sweet gifts
The fast fashion industry and its mass-produced, low cost model has global implications on our environment and often results in labor exploitation in the name of capitalism. A great way to help offset the negative impacts of fast fashion is to shop at your local thrift store for lightly used clothing. Rather than contributing to the production of more garments that will end up in landfills, thrifting is a fun way to update your wardrobe and recycle clothing at the same time. Find a retro jacket for your partner, or some vintage coffee table decor for your mom! But as always, it’s important to keep in mind that there are communities that rely on thrift stores to provide inexpensive clothing options, so be mindful about how much you are purchasing, and try not to wipe out entire sections of oversized sweaters!
So although this year’s holiday season feels a little less joyful, being mindful of your impact on our planet and using these sustainable tips into your Christmas preparations is a gift that keeps on giving. I hope you all have a wonderful break and stay safe, Zags. Happy Holidays!
