The Best Holiday Gift is a Healthier Future
- Rebecca Cardin
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
Not a surface was untouched by PFAS, not even the couch
Stockings were hung by the fireplace with care
But microplastics shed so easily from there
The gifts stacked high were tenderly wrapped
Though compounds that made them shimmer can never be put back
And while the merriment made a heartwarming sight
These disposable traditions create the planet’s next blight
While we may love a scene that sparkles and shines
A greater love considers how our children’s world will change over time.
As the holiday season unfolds, there is an opportunity for each of us to make positive changes to reduce harm to the planet we share. The window of cheer between Thanksgiving and New Years Eve happens to be our trashiest season- there is 25% more household waste produced from American homes during this time– which adds up to an incredible extra one million tons of landfill waste!
Don’t fret! When it comes to deciding whether to preserve the planet or engage in holiday festivities, PSR PA’s answer is clear: Why not do both? There are a number of ways we can bring joy and heal the planet during the holidays. Use the links in this article to learn more!
Wrapping Gifts
Do we really need to go to war against gift wrap? Yes! We do. Every pound of gift wrap produced contributes 3.5 lbs of carbon to the atmosphere and requires 1.3 lbs of fossil fuels to make! The US uses approximately 4.6 million pounds of gift wrap every year. That is nearly 16,908 barrels of oil just to wrap presents. But wrapping paper is only half the story. Glittering bows and glimmering ribbons don’t really break down. Most commercially available ribbons and bows contain plastic, PFAS, and more. The cherry on top, in this case, is another route of exposure for loved ones and our planet.
How can we keep things festive while minimizing harm?
Consider re-using your favorite bows and gift wraps—This keeps them out of the landfill and reduces the need to produce more.
Use wrapping paper that can be recycled or composted. Wraps and ribbons that are sparkly, shiny, and vibrantly colored often contain materials that cannot be recycled. When in doubt, use the scrunch test. If you roll the paper into a ball and it springs back- it is not recyclable.
Lean in with reusable gift bags–after all, we can use them for groceries later.
Consider fiber-based wraps such as burlap or linen.
Reuse and decorate paper bags and newspapers. Decorating these plain paper bags can be a fun activity for children to get into the holiday spirit.
Forgo the bow! Natural fiber string can make for a stunning adornment. Don’t be shy to use items from your yard such as pinecones, dried flowers, or evergreen sprigs!
Turn a harmful practice into a positive one by using plantable gift wrap and bags.
If you need a little sparkle in your life, consider using ecofriendly brands of glitter: Standard glitter is almost entirely fine plastic.
Image left eco-friendly paper from Bed Threads.
Image right seed paper from Custom Paper.
The Gift of Giving
Another way eco-conscience givers can remedy the impact of the holiday season is through judicious gift purchases. This starts by considering the packaging used. One of the most impactful ways to reduce plastic waste is to change the way we shop!
When we shop locally, we reduce the waste associated with our purchases–helping the local economy and local families in the process. Items purchased online have approximately 4.8 times more packaging!
Choose to purchase vintage or second hand items, as this can be a good way to give meaningful gifts without adding more waste to the environment.
Minimize the purchase of fabrics containing nylon, acrylic, and polyester, as these shed microplastics as they are washed and worn. Plastics found in textiles, such as clothing, comprise up to 70% of oceanic microplastics in some regions!
Avoid products labeled as stain resistant, dirt resistant, and water resistant when possible. This doesn’t mean all outdoor gear has to be soggy, PFAS free alternatives are readily available! Those yoga pants sure are cute but PFAS is forever.
Avoid fast fashion. These materials are often not suitable for reuse due to manufacturing that involves low quality materials that produce garments with components that are both recyclable and non-recyclable.
What about our little ones?
In addition to creating a healthier environment, we can take steps to protect the health of our little elves by mitigating direct exposure. We don’t have to tell any parent that if the tots can reach it, it will go in their mouth. This means that young children are particularly impacted by materials that impact long term health.
Unfortunately, companies in the US are not required to disclose which products contain PFAS. Some of our most popular toys contain compounds that are harmful to the health of children, even those well loved plushies. Plastic toys are one of the most impactful sources of microplastics for children, as they are heavily marketed to loving parents and children alike. For every million dollars in toy revenue, 40 tons of plastic is purchased. Even our beloved plastic building bricks are a prime source for microplastic exposure:
This doesn’t mean we can’t give fun gifts! Parents can make decisions about gift giving that make a huge impact on little bodies:
Consider buying toys that are made from natural materials, such as wooden blocks or bamboo-based fabrics.
Avoid paints and coatings that contain unfamiliar ingredients.
Investigate the companies manufacturing toys to better understand the quality, traceability, and accountability of the materials they use. A few examples of reputable toy manufacturers include Tikiri Toys, Melissa and Doug, EarthHero, and Rachel Ignotofsky.
Don’t fall victim to greenwashing tactics that try to lead parents into making underinformed purchases. Packaging that is vague or emphasizes unprovable claims can be a red flag for how much we should trust a manufacturer. On the other hand, packages showing nothing but mountains and trees without traceability should be scrutinized.
This holiday season you really can bring joy to your loved ones without the guilt of adding unnecessary risks to their health and future. As the old adage goes, “it is the thought that counts.” You can inspire this type of thoughtfulness in those you love!
What greater gift is there than showing genuine regard for the world we will leave behind?