Plastic-Free Holidays

Reducing waste, one celebration at a time

PHOTO BY TAMI CHU | ILLUSTRATIONS BY ADRIEL CHU

A new type of “stone” has made its way into the geological record, formed when plastic fuses together beach sediment and other natural materials through heat like campfires or lava flow. The name it has been given, plastiglomerate, suggests the impact of the evolution of plastic waste.

According to a 2017 study by Roland Geyer of UC Santa Barbara and colleagues, “We estimate that 8,300 million metric tons (Mt) of virgin plastics have been produced to date. As of 2015, approximately 6,300 Mt of plastic waste had been generated, around 9% of which had been recycled, 12% was incinerated and 79% was accumulated in landfills or the natural environment.

If current production and waste management trends continue, roughly 12,000 Mt of plastic waste will be in landfills or in the natural environment by 2050.”

In fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tells us that there are at least three giant garbage patches in the world’s oceans, each made up of about 79,000 metric tons of marine debris—bits of varying sized plastics, both from land and fishing gear—that swirl throughout the water column. These plastics have been found in the stomachs of up to 114 different species of marine animals, about half of which could end up on your plate.

It is no wonder several countries and many California counties are introducing legislation to limit or ban single-use plastic, from grocery bags to straws in restaurants. But individually, we can also make a difference. Plastic pollution is a human-made problem with human solutions.

While a zero-waste lifestyle might feel out of reach for many, we have put together several ideas to help you transform your winter celebrations to plastic-free and reduced-waste events. Even committing to just two or three new habits can have a ripple effect locally and perhaps globally.

GIFT WRAPPING

Most conventional wrapping paper is not recyclable. It is estimated that about half of the paper produced per year ends up in landfills.

Instead, try wrapping with newspaper, cloth, kitchen tea or dish towels, shopping totes or veggie bags.

To tie, try twine, hemp, metal wire or strips of scrap fabric.

For decoration, create your own tags from old pieces of cardboard, wooden scraps or homemade paper. Use real plants, herbs, cinnamon sticks or vintage jewelry for embellishment.

If you are considering a holiday card or holiday invite, look into sending an e-card or e-vite.

Cookies pictured made by Popsweets Bakery in Simi Valley.

PARTY TIME TIPS
How to keep your holiday party plastic free

Food brings people together. While many winter celebrations have their own culinary traditons, they can all share these practices.

SOURCING FOOD

Bring your own produce bags and bulk-buy containers on shopping trips.

Bring your own produce bags and bulk-buy containers on shopping trips.

Stop by the checkout counter to get tare weight of your containers.

Leave several cloth grocery bags in your car or with your bicycle gear so you always have one.

SETTING THE TABLE

Try to avoid all throwaway products. If you don’t have enough settings, ask guests to bring their own or buy extra sets at thrift stores.

Use dishes made from organic compostable materials: unbleached paper, bamboo, leaves, or cardboard with no inks or glues.

If you don’t have enough napkins, use colorful scraps of fabric cut into squares. (Source fabric from thrift stores.)

MEAL PREP

Compost your scraps and parchment paper.

If you don’t compost or have pickup, check with your guests or find local programs.

Send guests home with leftovers and a recipe that uses them creatively.

ECO-FRIENDLY DECORATING TIPS

Instead of a cut tree: 1) Use a live tree and plant it or donate it after the holidays. 2) Trim a potted rosemary bush to the shape of a Christmas tree, then leave it potted or plant it for fresh herbs year round. 3) Collect driftwood and design a wall tree or 3-D tree sculpture.

Forage ornaments from nature.

Thin-slice citrus to dry and hang or to make into a garland.

Make wreaths and garlands out of thyme and rosemary. After the holidays use the dried herbs for cooking.

Your local honey vendor also sells wax for candle-making and maybe ready-made candles as well.

After the holidays, plant-based items used as decorations can easily be tossed into the garden or compost, which helps to reduce waste and improves your garden’s soil.