Gift-giving can be tricky, especially when considering your impact on the planet. Traditional
gift-giving can lead to excessive waste and a burden on our environment, labourers, and landfills. By following this sustainable gift-giving guide, you can still express your love and appreciation for others, but with less harm to the planet.
Get Specific
Avoid the guessing game and ask your loved ones to make a list of items that they actually want. This will cut down on returns and save everyone time and energy. Plus, recent data has shown that many returns still end up in the landfill!
If your loved ones insist that they already have everything they need, get them a refill for one of their go-to products (e.g., their favourite face lotion, cologne, snack, tea/coffee, liquor). You can also refill a gift card to their favourite coffee shop, restaurant, or movie theatre.
Shop Local
Sourcing gifts locally can cut down on product transportation which lowers your carbon
footprint. You can also consider seeking out local handmade items, as they're typically made ethically in small batches under fair working conditions. This can also mean acquiring unique, handmade gifts as opposed to mass-produced items. And it stimulates our local economy!
Calgary has many Christmas and holiday markets each fall/winter. All it takes is a quick Google or social media search to see when and where they’re happening!
Reduce, Reuse
Why not give the gift that keeps on giving? There are plenty of amazing eco-friendly products on the market that can replace single-use items. For example, paper towels, makeup remover pads, or straws.
Another great way to reduce and reuse is by shopping in thrift stores, antique stores, and on Facebook Marketplace. Who doesn’t love vintage?
Keep it Simple
Colourful, glittery cards, gift bags, and wrapping paper can be so much fun. But according to Zero Waste Canada, 500 tons of wrapping material end up in the landfill each Christmas season. Sadly, glitter is a microplastic that gets everywhere and can contaminate our water, harm wildlife, and stay in the environment for centuries to come.
Instead, opt for recyclable brown wrapping paper (with no waxy, metallic, or plastic coating). You can even decorate it with stamps and tie it with biodegradable string. If you absolutely cannot part with your colourful bags and tissue paper, stow them away so they can be reused next season.
Finally, be sure to sort your gift-wrap waste properly and in accordance with the City of
Calgary’s rules and instructions. Visit https://www.calgary.ca/waste/what-goes-where/default.html to see what they currently accept.
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