Planet-Friendly Holiday Ideas
Keeping the Holidays Merry, Bright & Sustainable
With this Sustainability Savings Tip, you can:
Save $50 to $1,000/YR
Avoid Emissions of CO2: 100 to 1,000 lbs./YR
The holidays typically mean that you’ll be buying STUFF and being gifted more STUFF. The challenges of the last few years certainly caused many to seek a better work/life balance, invest more into our homes and landscapes, and to reflect upon our impact on the environment. Some call it conscientious consumption. See our ‘Living Green’ ideas below for ‘GREEN’ holiday wishes.
Sustainability-Santa Ideas
By mindful of gifts you’re buying. Avoid items made of plastic or that use energy or batteries (we know… all really difficult). Here are some of our favorite gift ideas: Garden bed lease at Mesa Urban Garden, membership at Mesa museums or Mesa Arts Center or to places like Desert Botanical Garden or Boyce Thompson Arboretum.
How about a landscape nursery gift-card for a tree purchase, a bird feeder or bee house, a subscription to Green Living Magazine, a book on make-it-yourself natural cleaners, or earth-friendly books for youth? Other ideas include a Compost Crank from Lotech Products (helps turn/aerate compost), a refillable water bottle, or any electronics, appliances, or fixtures with the WaterSense or ENERGY STAR label. These gifts will keep on giving with water and/or energy savings month after month!
1. Reuse or Donate Items You No Longer Need
The new appliance or electronic gadget you get as a gift might be the latest-latest but that doesn’t mean your old items can’t be enjoyed by someone else.
- Goodwill Donation Centers will accept all items that are in working condition, contain all of their pieces and parts, and are free of stains and rips. Drop off is easy and tax deductible.
- Stardust Mesa at 1720 W. Broadway is a home improvement reuse center and will accept working appliances, cabinets, plumbing, hardware, lighting, and more.
2. Can It Be Recycled? (Please reduce and reuse first!)
We can’t recycle everything, and due to the instability of the current recycling markets, items accepted have changed. We’re sorry, too ☹! Be sure to visit www.mesarecycles.org for details (and ask the Recycle Wizard), but here’s the scoop on common holiday items:
Boxes: Yes, but corrugated cardboard only and not all of the packaging that’s inside (i.e. bubble wrap, Styrofoam). Boxes should be broken down as overloaded blue barrels cannot be serviced.
Gift Wrap, Gift Bags, & Cards: Generally speaking, no. Because of the variety and quality of different paper and embellishments often added (glitter, foil, etc.), most of these items are not accepted but there are a few exceptions. Use the Recycle Right Wizard online search tool noted above to learn more. Better wrapping alternatives: Reusable bags, baskets, or tins. Use newspaper or old calendar pages. Giving a kitchen gift? Wrap in a tea towel.
Tissue Paper: No, the fibers in tissue paper are so small that they cannot be recycled. Dispose in the regular trash, reuse for gifting, or you can also compost it.
Holiday Tree: Yes, we Treecycle! Visit our Christmas Tree Recycling page for seasonal drop-off dates and locations.
Start Saving
Start being mindful of your purchasing and disposal actions while doing your part for building a sustainable community. Get more sustainability savings tips.
