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The holidays are a pretty busy time for many of us! We race around doing our shopping, cooking, visiting and, sometimes, getting the house ready for visitors! Often, it’s when we’re in a hurry that we consume the most and, naturally. make quick choices that are not necessarily the best for the environment. Here are a few things to consider that will ease your eco-conscience during the celebrations.

Reduce the definition of your movies and videos on Netflix and YouTube or, better yet, download them instead of streaming them. Video streaming uses up a significant amount of downstream traffic worldwide. In terms of CO2 emissions, our streaming behaviour can be just harmful as civil aviation*. Of course, when all is said and done, the best way to reduce your carbon footprint is to spend time with family and friends, far from screens.

Recycle when you decorate! Beyond the carbon impact of transporting decorations, many of which are manufactured abroad, there are the toxic paints, which are made using polluting processes. Instead, use your creativity, for instance by attaching old objects or pine cones to pine or spruce branches.

Choose useful, lasting and locally purchased gifts. If you want to offer a present, think about ways to reconcile your ecological values and your wish to give. First of all, find out what the person needs, and invest in things that will last so they don’t have to be replaced. Then, buy local to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from shipping merchandise and support your local economy.

Reduce the amount of food sent to landfill sites. Food waste is a big issue for us all and for the entire planet. The best trick is to empty your fridge. Send your guests home with generous portions of leftovers from your dinner. Freeze anything that remains as small portions that you can then have for your lunches.

Discard or recycle properly! Putting out or putting away your Christmas tree will uncover all sorts of things you’ve been accumulating “just in case…” over the past few months. This might give you the impetus to start that cleanup. Dispose of your items or products responsibly to protect the environment and help reclaim your waste. For information about how and where to dispose of them, you can use the Ça va où? app.

*Source: https://www.empa.ch/web/s604/is-streaming-the-new-flying