The holiday season is here, and it’s a great time to make small choices that really add up. Between gatherings, decorating, and gift giving, waste can pile up quickly. The good news is that a few thoughtful swaps can make a meaningful difference without taking away from the joy of the season.
Below are a few easy ways to reduce waste during the holidays.
Swap to cloth napkins
Paper napkins are convenient, but they’re also one of the most common sources of single use waste during holiday meals. Switching to cloth napkins is a simple upgrade that feels more special and lasts for years. Cloth napkins can be washed and reused again and again, and when they eventually wear out, they can be recycled with The ReCollective instead of heading to the landfill.
Choose natural decorations
Natural decorations like pine branches, herbs, and dried citrus create a warm, cozy atmosphere and can be composted at the end of the season. Unlike plastic decor, they return to the earth instead of lingering in storage or trash bags.
If you have non compostable seasonal decorations you are ready to part with, you can also participate in the January ReCo Pick for seasonal decorations to make sure they are handled responsibly.
Be a good gifter
Thoughtful gifting does not have to mean buying new or buying more. Choose useful items people will actually use, gifts with deeper personal meaning, edible treats, or shared experiences. Pre loved gifts support a local circular economy and help avoid the packaging, production, and shipping waste that comes with buying new items.
Reducing waste doesn’t have to stop after the holidays. The ReCollective picks up hard to recycle materials right from your doorstep and makes sure they’re handled responsibly, all year long.