15 Nov How to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle this Holiday Season

How to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle this Holiday Season

During the holidays, Americans tend to create more waste than during any other time of the year. According to Stanford University, Americans throw away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday period than any other time of year. From Christmas cards to wrapping paper and ribbon to packaging from various toys and other gifts, the extra waste amounts to 25 million tons of garbage or about 1 million additional tons per week!

At Blue Wave Adventures, we take protecting our planet seriously. That’s why we’ve put together a few recommendations on things you can do to reduce, reuse, and recycle this holiday season.

5 Ways You Can Protect Our Planet this Holiday Season

This year, we encourage you to do what you can to protect our planet. By reducing, reusing, and recycling, we can reduce our carbon footprint and help protect the earth for the generations to come. Want some ideas of what you can do to help? Read on!

1. Limit your use of wrapping paper

We know that wrapping paper can add to the spirit of the holidays, but most foil wrapping papers can’t be recycled. So, this year, look for wrapping paper made from recycled paper. Or better yet, look to limit your use of wrapping paper altogether. Many brick-and-mortar retailers and e-tailers sell reusable holiday bags that can be used for years to come.

2. Support local farmers for your holiday feast

Fresh fruits and vegetables and sustainable meat products can make for an amazing holiday meal. And, when you purchase from local farmers, you’ll know exactly who you are supporting. This year, look for locally grown organic produce to accompany your main course. Even better, Find an organic turkey or humane ham for your holiday dinner.

3. Plan a vacation instead of purchasing gifts that will be used once and forgotten

Oftentimes, we receive items for the holidays that we use a few times before we set them aside and forget all about them. Instead of going with the same old same old and shopping until you drop, why not consider a family vacation for the summer of 2022? And, a trip to Myrtle Beach might be the perfect solution. With plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, you will have no shortage of finding things to add to your Myrtle Beach list of things to do. And be sure to add an eco-friendly dolphin watch cruise with Blue Wave Adventures to your list. Our Myrtle Beach dolphin watch has a zero-carbon footprint, so you’ll not only enjoy seeing dolphins during your cruise, but you’ll feel great while doing so.

4. Recycle your Christmas tree

If you are like many American families, you love the smell of fresh pine from your Christmas tree. And the scent of pine can undoubtedly help you get into the holiday spirit. But did you know that each year, 10 million Christmas trees end up in the landfill? While your real Christmas tree won’t fit in the recycling bin with your newspapers and bottles, you can indeed recycle your tree. Check with your city officials on programs in your community that can turn your tree into mulch or wood chips.

5. Donate your time to an environmental cause

Many families like to give back during the holidays. Doing something for a good cause not only makes you feel good about yourself, but it can help you bring your family closer together too. And if you really want to help reduce, reuse, and recycle this holiday season, consider donating some time as a family to a local organization designed to clean up your community.