06 Jan 5 Tips for Sustainable Post-Holiday Cleanup
The end of the holiday season brings the start of an exciting new year… and an abundance of waste. Wrapping paper, decorations, indulgent meals – every holiday festivity seems to increase the trash pile. To help ease the environmental holiday hangover, we’re sharing five easy tips for sustainable post-holiday cleanup.
1. Recycle Your Tree
If you’re still holding onto the vibrant green essence that is your holiday tree, don’t throw it out just yet! Instead, find a tree recycling program near you by using resources like Earth911. Simply enter your zip code, remove your ornaments, and schedule a drop-off or pickup to help reduce the number of trees sent to landfills at the end of the season.
2. Reuse Your Gift Bags
Unfortunately, most gift bags and wrapping paper are made of non-recyclable foil and glossy plastic. So, instead of trashing them, simply store your bags away to reuse for other occasions. It’s the easiest way to ensure a sustainable post-holiday cleanup (and more sustainable gifting all year long!)
3. Make Homemade Potpourri
Why toss the delectable scent of cinnamon and pine needles out when you can turn them into a DIY air freshener? Simply toss your leftover spices into a boiling pot of water for the ultimate all-natural winter aroma.
4. Create a Holiday Compost
More food gets wasted during the holiday season than at any other point in the year. Do your part to reduce the growth of landfills by making a compost bin for all your holiday dinner scraps. Then, take it to a composting center near you or save it to fertilize your springtime garden.
5. Try Eco-Friendly Cleaning
Once the decorations are taken down and recycled, it’s time for a seasonal deep clean of your home. Opt for eco-friendly products like Mr. Meyer’s to ensure safe cleaning for both the environment and your household. You can also rely on the non-toxic product experts at LEVO to provide a blueprint for safer cleaning far beyond December.
Looking for more ways to sustainably prep a cozy home for post-holiday wintertime hibernation? Be sure to check out this blog post featuring our favorite eco-conscious cold-weather home essentials.