Waste less, celebrate more: Tips for a zero waste holiday

Every holiday season, mountains of waste are generated that harm our environment. In fact, we throw away at least 25% more trash during the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than any other time of year.

The holiday season should be a time for celebration with friends and family, but  advertisements telling us we need to buy more and more stuff can be overwhelming. A lot of the waste that comes from holiday meals, gift giving and packaging can be avoided.

That’s why PIRG and Environment America hosted a “Waste less, celebrate more: Tips for a zero waste holiday” webinar on December 2, 2024. 

Our panel of experts from PIRG and Environment America shared tips to reduce all types of common holiday waste, from wasteful packaging and gift wrapping to food, technology, and clothing waste. We also featured a live demonstration of zero waste gift wrapping.

As we shop for the holidays, the gifts we give can support a more sustainable and healthy world and, in some cases, create new memories with our loved ones.

You can view the additional resources, actions and links shared throughout the webinar here.

That includes our Buy Less, Give More guide, our Fixed for the Holidays guide to buying refurbished tech, and our guide to Reduce Food Waste and Save Money this Holiday Season.

Happy Holidays!

Presented by Lisa Frank, Executive Director of Environment America, joined by:

• Kelly Leviker, PIRG Beyond Plastic Advocate, discussing plastic waste;
• Stephanie Markowitz, PIRG Designed to Last Associate, sharing tips for refurbished tech gift giving;
• Kathryn Horvath, PIRG Waste is Out of Fashion Campaign Associate, discussing holiday clothing waste;
• Theo Rosen, Environment America Climate Campaigns Associate, leading a zero waste gift wrapping demonstration;
• Belle Sherwood, PennEnvironment Climate and Clean Energy Associate, discussing food waste.