By CDR Columnist Jordan Ensign
With the holidays just around the corner, many of us have gift giving on our minds—but those gifts often lead to a lot of waste.
According to Forbes, in 2024, one in three adults in the United States received a holiday gift they planned to return. Those returned items, however, often make their way to the landfill and generate billions of pounds of annual waste. This, in addition to other types of waste associated with gifting, add up quickly. This holiday season, consider incorporating some more eco-conscious gifts with the ideas below.
Locally-Sourced Gifts
There are many reasons to shop small, but from an environmental perspective, there is far less waste involved in visiting a local boutique or buying a gift card for a small coffee house compared to ordering from a large corporation.
Locally-owned businesses tend to produce in smaller quantities and throw fewer materials away. This not only makes for a more personalized gift, but also supports the environment by reducing potential waste.
Additionally, by visiting a small business, you’re cutting down on the carbon emissions associated with shipping a product, allowing you to support your local economy and the environment at the same time.
Thrifted Gifts
Consider checking out your local thrift store in preparation for the holiday season! A carefully-selected trinket or unique article of clothing makes for a perfect gift.
If you’re looking to take it a step further, consider curating a themed collection of thrifted finds for your giftee. Work off of their favorite color, animal or place to pull together a one-of-a-kind assortment for your friend or family member.
Handmade Gifts
Handmade gifts are incredibly meaningful and can be super sustainable, especially if you combine this with the previous category and utilize second-hand or repurposed materials.
If you have a special skill or favorite hobby, consider utilizing it this holiday season. Whether it’s a crocheted scarf, a batch of holiday treats or a hand-painted card, there are lots of ways to get creative and imbue your holiday gifts with thoughtfulness.
