The holiday season inspires many to show gratitude through celebrations, gift giving, and traveling to visit loved ones. Unfortunately, these activities can generate waste and contribute to our growing carbon footprint. In the United States, household waste increases by 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year’s and 33% more food is thrown away. That’s more than 25 million tons of extra waste. 

At NYU, we can do our part to change the consumptive-culture around the holidays and reduce our impact. 

Gifts for Colleagues

Giving a card and gift to your coworkers is a thoughtful way to show your appreciation. Consider meaningful, but less wasteful, strategies to show that you care.

• Send an eCard: Paperless Post, Blue Mountain, and PunchBowl are some of the many services that offer free and low-cost digital greeting cards.
• Gift a Sustainable Product: Gift a reusable mug, bottle, tote bag, or utensil set to help your colleagues reduce single-use, disposable items. Products that are made by Certified B Corporations have a legal obligation to uphold ethical and sustainable manufacturing and business practices.
• Give a Plant: Plants have copious health and environmental benefits. Studies show that having a plant in your workspace can reduce stress, improve indoor air quality, and increase productivity. 
• Source Locally: Support local artisans and businesses, while reducing the carbon emissions associated with shipping and transporting goods. Peruse Made in NYC for recommendations.
• Organize a Gift Exchange: Rather than giving every employee an individual present, consider organizing an exchange within your office. Host a traditional exchange where colleagues can gift personal or homemade items, organize a white elephant exchange to promote re-gifting, or limit the exchange to used books.
• Do Away with the Gift Altogether: The most sustainable gift is no gift at all. Make a donation like a contribution to plant a flower bed in Central Park or contribute to a coats or toys drive. You can also organize a volunteer or experiential outing with your colleague to make memories (and not waste).

Holiday Parties and Gatherings

If you’re hosting a holiday party for your colleagues, you can follow our guide for Green Events to ensure that every part of your event, from the food to the decor, is minimally impactful.

Traveling for the Holidays

If you’re visiting friends and family over the break, consider ways to reduce your transportation footprint, while ensuring you meet health guidelines around travel.

• Take Public Transportation: When possible, take the bus or train. These modes of transportation contribute significantly less emissions than driving.
• Offset Flight Emissions: If flying, consider purchasing carbon offsets to contribute to projects that promote environmental protection and the removal of greenhouse emissions.
• Shut Down before Heading Out. Remember to fully shut down electronics and adjust your thermostat before leaving for break.   

There are many ways to make the holidays a little more sustainable. Consider implementing these strategies into your celebration this year and start 2022 on a greener foot.