Published

2 years ago

December 10, 2023

Alice Rush

Last Updated on December 6, 2023

The holidays are a time when we indulge our families and friends with food, gifts and cards. But it can also be a time of stress, excess and waste.

That’s why making the right choices is important: They can minimize the impact on the environment while celebrating with the ones we love.

8 Ways to Have a Sustainable Holiday Season

This post was sponsored by the Paper and Packaging Board’s How Life Unfolds® campaign. All thoughts and opinions are my own; for more information please see my disclosure policy.

I like to take a slower approach to the holiday season. Making Christmas cookies from scratch, hanging up some dried citrus garlands for decoration, and making the house smell amazing with festive simmer pots are some of my favorite holiday traditions.

If you’re looking to slow down and really experience all the delights of the holiday season, here are some of my favorite tips on how to spread joy and do it sustainably!

how does the holiday season affect the environment?

During the holiday season, household waste increases by more than 25% from Thanksgiving to New Years.

The average American produces ~5 lbs of trash per day, but during the holidays that rises to 6.25lbs. With a population of 331.9 million people in the U.S. alone, that’s ~2,072,375,000lbs of trash generated per day during the holiday season.

So, where’s all this waste coming from? It’s from all the additional excess food and packaging that does not get recycled. However, please note that when you recycle or reuse things like paper shopping bags, wrapping paper and fancy ribbon, that’s not considered waste.

how can we be sustainable during the holiday season?

Having a sustainable holiday season doesn’t have to be hard. Here are some tips, tricks and ideas to inspire you.

1. recycle (and upcycle) your paper

A papertarian is a fun term coined by the Paper and Packaging Board to highlight someone who lives a paper-based lifestyle. It’s about opting for paper packaging, and then recycling it when you are done!

With the holiday season here, you might be ordering more packages than usual. If you’re wondering what to do with all those shipping boxes and packaging paper, don’t.

Paper and boxes are some of the most recycled materials in the U.S. and can be made into new products up to seven times!

In 2022, 93.6% of corrugated cardboard packaging and nearly 68% of paper was recycled in the United States. Approximately 80% of U.S. paper and packaging mills use some recovered paper fibers in their products, and most corrugated boxes are made from 50% recycled material.

Recycling keeps paper and boxes out of landfills and makes the most of our natural resources because it can be recycled up to seven times. But before you recycle your paper, you can find festive ways to reuse or upcycle it.

Here are some fun ways to upcycle paper this holiday season:

Make some star ornaments out of toilet paper rolls.
DIY some paper snowflakes for holiday decor or DIY ornaments.
Use cardboard tubes as gift tags, napkin rings, or gift pouches.
Save cardboard boxes to reuse for gifts.
Use brown paper from shipments over the year to wrap Christmas presents. Decorate them with festive stamps and ink for more pizazz.

2. choose sustainable wrapping

Did you know 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper is made in the U.S. each year and half of it (that’s 2.3 million pounds!) ends up in landfill.

When wrapping gifts, it’s a good idea to opt for wrapping paper that has no glitter or foils to make sure it’s recyclable. Always double check your local recycling rules though, as they can vary from state to state.

I love to utilize salvaged packaging paper to wrap gifts too. Last year, I saved up all my brown paper, then got rubber stamps and ink to create really cute homemade wrapping paper.

To secure your gifts, use paper tape to cut back on plastic. Or, simply use compostable twine or upcycled ribbon. For finishing touches, tie on some dried citrus or pine sprigs.

3. opt for a sustainable card

Making cards is one of my favorite traditions. I love receiving physical cards, and have a whole box of sentimental cards that I’ve kept over the years from early birthdays, graduations, my wedding etc. It’s so nice to be able to pull these out and read the words from my loved ones, especially loved ones who’re no longer with us.

I’m a big fan of the tactile nature of cards, but whether you make them yourself or you get them from a store, it’s your personal message that really warms the heart. I always opt for a 100% paper-based card because it comes from a renewable resource, and they’re recyclable. To make your own, grab some drawing paper and get creative.

Paint on it, or draw on it with markers, crayons, or colored pencils. Or make it a family affair: Grab your partner and/or kids and give them a card to write out. They can choose who they want to address it to and personalize it their own way!

You can also make a stamp from a potato in the shape of a tree, then use plant paints instead of ink so your card is completely plastic-free.

4. gift consciously

It’s so important to gift consciously. You can do this by choosing gifts your loved ones will adore and actually use.

Think about what they truly want or need: What can they use right now? Practical gifts are always a safe bet, like a coupon to a car wash or a magazine subscription?

Ask them what they need most, or listen to what they talk about the next time you’re together. Are they always talking about getting new baking sheets? Have they voiced how hard it is to afford something you could help put money towards? PJs or thick wool socks?

You can also donate to a charity or volunteer time in their name. This is even more impactful when it’s something they strongly believe in, like environmental or social causes.

Lets also normalize re-gifting: If you have something you know someone else would want, and aren’t using yourself, why not re-gift it? It’s better than gathering dust on your shelf.

Of course, when in doubt, money will always be appreciated and never goes to waste.

5. protect your ornaments without the plastic

Reusing the same ornaments each year is a great way to reduce waste. Always use what you already have.

Plus, many ornaments can be (or become) family heirlooms with a lot of sentimental value. My mother still has some ornaments from her grandmother’s time and they are so precious to us – we decorate the tree with them every year.

It’s important to make sure you put them away safely after the holidays are over. I recommend upcycling a cardboard box and wrapping fragile items in upcycled tissue paper, crinkle paper or kraft paper. Even old newspapers can suffice in a pinch.

This will ensure you can easily pull it out of storage and look forward to making more holiday memories next year.

6. choose the right tree

Did you know that real trees are better for the environment than fake plastic trees?

All real Christmas trees are grown on farms. In fact in the U.S., 350 million trees are grown on Christmas tree farms, so you don’t have to chop a tree down from the forest to get one.

Christmas trees are grown like crops on farms, so the farmer will generally plant 3 seedlings whenever one gets picked.

Plus, when Christmas ends you can recycle it at the end of its life by turning it into compost or mulch.

Many big cities and towns have curbside pick-up options along with drop off centers for recycling.

For example, Mulchfest in NYC is a huge event where they’ll chip your tree into wood chips and use it to nourish trees around NYC. More than 58,300 trees were recycled last year alone.

An even more eco-friendly option yet is to find a place that lets you rent out a living tree for the holiday in a pot with its roots intact.

At the end of the holiday season, they’ll come and pick it up and return it to their forest nursery, where the trees will continue to produce oxygen, contribute to the ecosystem, and serve as wildlife habitat.

However, if you already have a fake plastic tree, continue to use it to prevent waste. Plastic trees cannot be recycled with curbside recycling. When it’s ready for retirement, consider getting a real tree in its place.

7. reduce food waste

Who doesn’t love to indulge in good food during the holidays? Between cookies, cakes, mains and sides, the options are endless.

But Americans waste around 30-40% of the food supply, and that amount rises by 25% during the holidays – aka Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

Here are a few ways to reduce food waste this holiday season:

Ask your guests to bring their own containers so they can take some leftovers home or provide some paper to-go containers.
Actually eat your leftovers! Here are some creative ways to use them up.
Compost any food/cooking scraps you have.
Don’t over-cook: Focus on making enough for the people you’ll be serving. Meal prepping and planning in advance can help with this.
Prepare only what you know your guests will like so it all gets eaten (try to avoid any foods they’ve expressed strong disdain for).
Make sure to honor dietary restrictions! Make sure to talk to everyone about their diets before you plan to cook.

8. quality time

Above all else this season, spending quality time with your loved ones far outweighs any possession you can get them.

We’re often bombarded by ads this season telling us to buy more. This leads to overconsumption, stress, panic-buying and a lot of waste during the holidays.

But what if we just slowed down? What if we took the time to focus less on quantity, but quality?

Here are some ways we can enjoy time with our loved ones:

Grab a coffee at a local cafe and catch up (bonus points if you challenge each other not to check your phones!)
Host a girl’s night, order pizza and get crafty
Watch a cooking class and eat the spoils together when done
Sign up for a guided nature walk or foraging tour together
Complete a puzzle or board game (Scrabble is always fun!)

You could also potentially ask for experience gifts. Even better, ask for an experience you can share together, like a concert, movie tickets, musical, or play.

Or ask for no gifts at all, if you’d rather just make the holidays a bit simpler and already have what you need. That will free both of you to just focus on creating fun memories together.

And, a huge thank you to How Life Unfolds® for sponsoring this post. Be sure to visit https://www.howlifeunfolds.com/holidayguide to learn more about having a sustainable holiday season. Don’t forget to also take the Papertarian Pledge!

Also, feel free to visit their Instagram handle @howlifeunfolds and participate in their #GoPapertarian campaign.

The post 8 Ways to Have a Sustainable Holiday Season appeared first on Going Zero Waste.

8 Ways to Have a Sustainable Holiday Season

Green Living

How Toad&Co’s Clothes Help Everyone Enjoy the Outdoors

Published

4 days ago

November 25, 2025

Alice Rush

This is a sponsored article about a brand that was independently assessed by our rigorous ratings system. We’re proud to only collaborate with “Good” and “Great” rated brands. Learn more.

US brand Toad&Co has a socially and environmentally responsible approach to clothing, creating pieces inspired by the outdoors and with a lower impact on the environment. Not to mention an enduring commitment to helping everyone get outdoors through its work with non-profits. Read on to discover the brand’s environment-first ethos.

Focusing on what matters most

“We make feel-good clothes for positive impact—fostering community around doing good, enjoying life’s simple pleasures, and embracing the unexpected,” says Sarah Palladino, director of people and impact at Toad&Co as she introduces the Californian brand. This “simple pleasures” concept applies to Toad&Co’s approach to design, too, and prioritises quality and responsibility over trend-led items. This, in turn, means the brand focuses its energy on clothes that are comfy and practical enough for everything from work to outdoor exploring, and on maintaining its ongoing commitments to using lower-impact materials, partnering with cleaner factories, and looking for new ways to do more with less.

Since day one, it’s been about more than just clothes. From choosing sustainable practices in every corner of our business to supporting programs that protect the planet and make the outdoors more accessible to everyone—knowing we stand for more is what keeps us going

Gordon Seabury – CEO at Toad&Co

Lower-impact materials and producer responsibility

Opting for lower impact materials is one of the core ways brands can address their impact on the planet: “Sustainable materials make a world of difference,” Toad&Co says. “We use organic cotton, recycled fibres, and other high-quality materials known for low-impact growing and cleaner manufacturing.”

The brand’s selection of more sustainable materials includes organic cotton, hemp, TENCEL Lyocell, and recycled fabrics like wool, cotton, and polyester. It also looks to third party clothing certifications like bluesign®, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, and Global Organic Textile Standard, and it publishes its list of restricted substances for all to see.

Toad&Co also operates a resale platform, called ToadAgain, online and at its IRL store in Maine, US, to keep its clothes in the loop.

Supporting non-profits and access to the outdoors

Toad&Co donates 1% of its profits to organisations working to empower others and, in particular, enable better access to the outdoors for all.

In 1996, Toad&Co partnered with Search, Inc. to co-found the Planet Access Company, a full-functioning warehouse that trained and employed up to 70 adults with disabilities annually.

Determined not to stop at the front door, the brand also co-founded Search for Adventure in 2004, a unique travel program to facilitate vacations for adults with disabilities. Over 20 years later, the social venture partnership has evolved—and includes a flagship store in Chicago, a program called Visibility Arts that nurtures creativity through sharing Search, Inc. artist’s work, neurodiversity and disability awareness training, and an expanded Search for Adventure program. In 2024, the brand supported 147 nights of camping for adults with disabilities through the program.

We give back to—and partner with—organisations that align with our three pillars of giving: conservation for human enjoyment, equity and accessibility, and do the right thing

Sarah Palladino – director of people and impact at Toad&Co

One of Toad&Co’s key partnerships is with Brave Trails, which is dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth leadership, to support it in putting on accredited camps, mentorship programs, and meet-ups for LGBTQ+ youth.

Shop favourites from Toad&Co’s new collection

Read on to discover some of the standout items that balance style with practicality from Toad&Co’s lineup.

Merino Heartfelt Hoodie

Woven with a beautiful alpine jacquard pattern, this hoodie is made from non-mulesed Merino wool and features pockets at the sides. It’s ideal as a mid-layer under a longer coat when you’re out exploring, or as a cosy item for grabbing a post-walk hot chocolate.

person wearing white knitted alpineglo jumper from toad&co

Alpineglo Sweater

This Alpineglo sweater is a blend of 50% organic cotton and 50% non-mulesed Merino wool, so it’s going to help regulate your temperature in most climates. On top of that, the neutral tone and straight fit make it really versatile—you’ll be reaching for it on the regular.

printed floral chaka trousers from Toad&co

Chaka Wide-Leg Trousers

Toad&Co calls these cropped trousers “sweatpant comfortable, going-out presentable”, which makes sense, given they’re made with organic cotton and Tencel Lyocell for softness and have a comfortable wide waistband, not to mention a pretty floral pattern.

people wearing reversible nomader jacket from toad&co

Nomader Reversible Jacket

This Nomader jacket is reversible, packable, and water-resistant. In other words, it’s the ideal item to take with you for outdoor adventures. It’s made from recycled nylon and lightly quilted for warmth.

person wearing printed padded manzana jacket from toad&co

Manzana Quilted Jacket

Toad&Co picked the crepe-like organic cotton for this jacket so that you could fold it away in a bag and have it still look presentable when you pull it out. It’s also packed with recycled polyester padding for extra warmth.

Balsam Cutoff Trousers

These Balsam Trousers are made with a tiny bit of stretch and a special waistband for comfort, so they’ll flex with you and feel good all the time. The neutral brown colour also goes with so many options.

Kennicott Shirt Jacket

Going from a walk to dinner? From the office to drinks? This Kennicott shirt jacket fits the bill for all of the above. The smart twill fabric incorporates recycled Italian wool.

Airsmyth Shirt

This is Toad&Co’s Re-Form Herringbone: a blend of recycled cotton and polyester that offers a soft drape and an attractive herringbone weave that looks smarter than the average checked shirt.

Balsam 5-Pocket Trousers

Like the women’s equivalent, these Balsam trousers have a touch of stretch and a comfortable ‘FlexForm’ waistband that mean they’re going to feel comfortable from the get-go—and you won’t need to worry about a belt, either.

Discover more of Toad&Co’s clothes.

The post How Toad&Co’s Clothes Help Everyone Enjoy the Outdoors appeared first on Good On You.

How Toad&Co’s Clothes Help Everyone Enjoy the Outdoors

Green Living

50 DIY Christmas Presents Anyone Can Make

Published

1 week ago

November 21, 2025

Alice Rush

Last Updated on November 21, 2025

If you’re on the handmade Christmas kick this year, you’re not alone. So am I!

I’m choosing presence over presents this year and bringing back the 90s Christmas I loved as a kid – simple, crafty, low pressure, and full of small moments that feel meaningful.

If you want to gift thoughtfully, and without breaking the bank, these DIY Christmas presents are for you. There’s something for everyone on this list – whether you prefer easy or complex DIYs.

I’ve included all kinds of DIYs – beauty, cooking, fashion, and practical gifts alike. Best of all? Many of these tutorials are zero waste (or close to it).

what are good homemade Christmas gifts?

Good homemade Christmas gifts include consumable items, like homemade nut butters, vanilla extract, or jams. But not all homemade gifts are edible – you can also make items like bath bombs, candles, body scrubs, beeswax wraps, and so much more.

If you’re extra crafty, you could even make wooden gifts (like shelving or tablet holders), ceramic items (like mugs or jewelry), or knitted/crocheted pieces (like blankets, scarves or hats).

It all depends on your level of skill, time at your disposal, and ingredients/materials you have access to.

50 DIY Christmas Presents Anyone Can Make

what are good inexpensive Christmas gifts?

Some good inexpensive Christmas gifts are DIY cornstarch ornaments, handmade body or lip scrub, seasoned salt blends, and homemade treats (like these chocolate chip cookies or vegan sugar cookies).

And never forget to hit up your local thrift store – you can find so many great items that would make affordable gift baskets!

Wrapping DIY Christmas gifts also doesn’t have to be expensive. Reusing gift bags and ribbons from last year, upcycling packaging paper, or even repurposing a scarf for furoshiki wrap are all low-waste and affordable!

how can I make a last minute gift?

You can make a last minute gift by getting crafty using the materials you have on hand!

For example, if you have a cardboard box, why not try making an upcycled cardboard dollhouse, vehicle, or pirate ship for a child? For adults, a DIY storage container or a shoe rack works.

One of my fav last minute gifts is scented bath salts in an upcycled glass jar – just a little Epsom salt and essential oil blends will do the trick!

Here’s my list of DIY Christmas gifts – something for everyone and every skill level.

Bath salts
DIY makeup like mascara/eyeliner, or lip to cheek
Bath bombs
Lip scrub
Lip balm
Face mask
Body lotion
Natural perfume
Dry shampoo
Shampoo bar
Body soap
Deodorant
Rose water toner
Hand-poured coconut/soy/beeswax candles
Simmer pot in a jar
Cookie, brownie, soup mix or hot cocoa mix in a jar
Handmade seasoning blends
Vanilla extract
Vegan caramels or plant-based butter wrapped in compostable parchment paper
Herb or citrus infused olive oil
Peanut butter + jam
Beeswax wraps
Apple or pumpkin butter
Sourdough or no-knead artisan bread
Finished embroidery hoops
Embroidered pillows, tote bags, clothes or cloth napkins
Sewn cotton rounds
Knitted scarf, hat, gloves, sweater, or blanket
Hand warmers
Quilt blanet, quilted coat or quilted wallet
Tie dyed secondhand silk scarves, clothing or sheets
Hand painted or drawn artwork
Air dry clay paint palette
DIY wooden frame for paintings or print photos
Handmade ceramics (mugs, chawan, chasen holder, vase, spoon rest, etc.)
Woodworked items (birdhouse, shelving, bookcase, wall guitar mount)
Carving wooden bowls by hand
Natural branch coasters
Plant propagations in one of these DIY planters
Seed balls using native seeds
Handwoven baskets or bowls
Macrame produce bag
Macrame plant hanger
Fabric paper mache bowls
Upcycled paper earring jewelry
Clay earrings
Handmade plush toys
Felt ‘food’ toys
Wooden toys (like vehicles, blocks, or dollhouses)
Knit or crocheted baby clothes

What do you think of these DIY Christmas presents? Let me know in the comments!

The post 50 DIY Christmas Presents Anyone Can Make appeared first on Going Zero Waste.

50 DIY Christmas Presents Anyone Can Make

Green Living

8 Best Non Toxic Rugs For a Sustainable Home

Published

3 weeks ago

November 6, 2025

Alice Rush

Last Updated on November 6, 2025

Did you know most rugs are made from polyester, aka plastic? Arguably, a good chunk of our furniture and home decor is nowadays.

And lets not forget – rugs can get a lot of foot traffic. If it’s made from polyester, chances are those plastic fibers are going to shed and get onto us. Or worse, in us.

8 Best Non Toxic Rugs For a Sustainable Home

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links; for more information please see my disclosure policy.

Microplastics have been found in human feces, blood, and even placentas. And according to a study from Stanford University, those who had microplastics in their plaque had a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and death than those who didn’t.

On top of this, 5 billion pounds of rugs go to waste each year – that’s 2% of total US landfill. And if they’re made from plastic? They won’t biodegrade.

It’s more important than ever to reduce our exposure to microfibers where we can. Which is why I’ve rounded up the best non toxic rugs on the market.

what is the least toxic rug?

The least toxic rug will have sustainable materials and use no harsh chemicals (like PFAs) in their production.

Here’s what to look for when purchasing a non-toxic rug:

Sustainable materials, such as organic cotton, jute, sisal or wool
Low-waste packaging + delivery
Natural, non-synthetic dyes
Third-party certifications like OEKO-TEK, Fair Trade, GOTs
Easy to spot-clean or machine wash
Available in various styles, patterns + colors to suit your needs

do all rugs have PFAS?

According to Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), only four samples of 201 carpets and rugs were found to contain more than 100 parts per million in their fibers, indicating PFAS were intentionally added to the products.

However, while PFAs may not be a huge concern for rugs, microplastic pollution is, specifically if your carpet is synthetic. Your best bet is to check the material your rug is made from and choose natural fibers whenever possible.

what is the best non-toxic rug for nursery?

The best non-toxic rug for a nursery would be made from natural materials like wool and organic cotton (which are soft on baby’s skin).

I recommend also checking for natural latex for the rug backing and underlay pads. Brands on this list that offer kid-friendly sizes and patterns include Lorena Canals, Nestig, Quince, and Loomy (more on each below).

what brand of rugs are non-toxic?

The brands of rugs that are non-toxic are listed below. I’ve gone ahead and highlighted some of my favorite features of each brand, but it isn’t an exhaustive list. Be sure to check out their websites for more information.