Hey earth muffins! There is no doubt about it, December is the season of wrapping paper. 🎁 While pretty wrapped gifts are exciting and festive, they aren’t necessarily the most eco-friendly option. A lot of wrapping papers aren’t pure paper, which makes them non-recyclable. On top of that, many of them also have glitter and other 3-D effects that are definitely fit for the landfill only. To make your Christmas more sustainable this year, I want to share my top suggestions for sustainable wrapping paper alternatives – let’s jump right into it!
1. Old gift bags, wrapping paper, and tissue paper
Once you decide you want to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, it is important to use up what is already in your house. That includes all that leftover wrapping paper! People tend to buy new rolls every holiday which results in a stack of half used rolls in the back of some dusty closet. Reuse all the old gift bags, tissue paper, and wrapping paper that is already in your home!
Hey earth muffins! The holiday season is upon us, which means there is a rise in consumerism with all of the holiday shopping. 🎅 It is extremely important, especially now, to make sure you are being a conscious consumer. What does it mean to be a “conscious consumer”? It means supporting businesses that support your values – companies that care about the planet and making the world a better place! I love to buy gifts for my loved ones this time of year, so I thought I would share my top tips for how you can be a more conscious consumer as well. Let’s jump right into it!
1. Make a list and check it twice
You can’t be a conscious consumer if you overconsume this holiday! It is important to remember to only buy what you actually need. Just like Santa Claus, I suggest making a long list. Think about each person you will be shopping for and write down what gifts you will be buying them. As you are shopping, keep looking at the list to avoid impulse buys.
2. Buy locally and support small businesses
As you are doing your holiday shopping, make sure to support small businesses in your town before hitting up the mall and other chain stores. The pandemic has been hard on local business, so do your best to support them first. Many local products are more sustainable as well; if you have local eco-friendly stores, even better!
Hey earth muffins! I can’t believe the 4th of July is already here. It seems like just yesterday I moved into my apartment around this time last year… And (surprise!) I am actually getting ready to move again! With my job being virtual, my boyfriend and I are moving home to save up some money to get a house. Pretty exciting stuff! 😊 While the 4th of July won’t be “typical” this year due to Mister Corona, I wanted to share my tips for how you can have a zero waste Fourth of July. Get ready to party! 🎆
If you have a party or BBQ, make sure to use reusables!
I love to celebrate long weekends with some sort of BBQ meal; it reminds me of family celebrations growing up. Regardless of the number of people you have at your house, make sure you stay away from single-use utensils, plates, and cups. I am sure you have plenty of these items in your kitchen already; if not, have your family/friends bring their own cups for the night! Especially since it is Plastic Free July, you definitely do not want to use plastics when there is an easy alternative.
Have plant-based options as well.
There are many tasty options when it comes to plant-based BBQ. From jackfruit pulled pork sandwiches to veggie burgers and hot dogs, make sure you have these as an option! Even for people who haven’t reduced their meat consumption yet, you might be surprised that they want to try out a veggie option. 🥕 If you are feeling like a chef, you can even make your own veggie patties from things like beans, quinoa, and breadcrumbs. I’ve been able to create some pretty tasty burgers in the past, so get creative in the kitchen to have a zero waste Fourth of July!
Make sure you have a recycle station at your party or BBQ!
Many people like to relax with some sort of cold beverage over the long weekend. If you are providing said drinks, make sure to opt for glass or metal cans that can be recycled in your local area. When setting up for your celebration, have recycle bins readily accessible near every trash can. This will ensure more people will remember to toss the cans or glass bottles into the right bin!
Thrift your red, white, and blue!
I personally think it is fun to wear red, white, and/or blue to celebrate the 4th. But, this can be difficult if you don’t have any of these colors in your closet. Instead of going out and buying something to wear for just one day, borrow from a friend or family member. If none of your friends have anything, then you can check to see if there are any cute items at the thrift store. Make sure you will wear it on a “normal” day too! As I mentioned in my St. Patrick’s Day post, you don’t want to buy a super “themed” shirt that can only be worn on 1 day during the year.
If you want to celebrate with fireworks, go to a city-wide event.
Fireworks aren’t great for the environment; but, many people can’t go without them on the 4th of July. Do NOT buy your own fireworks – go to a local city’s firework show instead. The show is going to take place with or without you in attendance, so why shoot off your own and create more of a negative environmental impact? Plus, a city-wide event is often much more extravagant than something in your backyard. And of course, you won’t accidentally shoot off a finger. 😬 Also avoid things like sparklers or poppers – they create a ton of excess waste!
Pin now to read later!
Final Thoughts on How to Have a Zero Waste Fourth of July
It is totally possible to have a great day of celebration without creating more issues for Mother Earth. When having parties and BBQs, take care to use reusables and have plenty of meatless options available. If you are celebrating with beverages, make sure to recycle all cans and glass containers. In terms of fireworks, just go to the city’s show. Much easier and a better alternative than putting on your own backyard event. How will you be celebrating a zero waste Fourth of July this year?
Hey earth muffins! Believe it or not, St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner… And then Easter is not far behind! I have never really done much to celebrate St. Patty’s Day; but, as it is a major holiday, I just couldn’t skip over writing another sustainable holiday post. Today, I wanted to share my list of how you can celebrate a zero waste St Patrick’s Day this year! Holidays tend to create more waste than a typical day, so it is important to be mindful of how sustainable your celebrations are. Let’s jump right in!
Wear green!
Wearing some sort of green is a tradition for St. Patrick’s Day. This is the one thing I try to do every year! Looking through my current closet, I actually don’t have any green to wear… Instead of going out and buying something to wear for just one day, borrow from a friend or family member. My boyfriend has a couple green sweatshirts, so I can just steal one of those! If none of your friends have green, then you can check to see if there are any cute items at the thrift store. Make sure you will wear it on a “normal” day too – buying a St. Patty’s themed shirt is silly because it sits in your closet for 364 days of the year.
Play some tricks.
Similar to the Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus, my parents tricked my siblings and I into believing that the Leprechaun was real. He would cause chaos in our house each St. Patty’s by messing up our orderly toys and dyeing the milk green. While playing some tricks on your roomates is clearly zero waste, I would steer clear of the food dyes that come in plastic. I have been making my own seed/nut milks recently; pumpkin seed milk (from raw pumpkin seeds) is already a light shade of green. Maybe opt for this instead! ☘️
Do some zero waste cooking!
There are tons of amazing Irish meals you can cook for this holiday. Try to source all of your ingredients from bulk bins, glass containers, or loose items. 😊 If cooking a whole Irish meal seems like too much, try making one thing. I personally would recommend some delicous soda bread! For those who aren’t into cooking, support a local Irish pub or restaurant. Try to eat in if there aren’t COVID restrictions; takeout always creates more waste than necessary!
While learning the jig might sound stupid, it is always fun to try something new! 👯♂️ Plus, having a few random dance moves in your back pocket is always a good idea. I taught myself how to moonwalk in middle school, and there have been numerous times where I’ve shocked people because they didn’t believe I could actually do it. If dancing isn’t your thing, listen to some classic Irish music. Or, listen to Spotify’s top songs in Ireland – I love that you can listen to what is popular in other countries!
Skip those gold coin chocolates.
For one, they don’t even taste good haha. And they create a lot of extra waste. Instead of those candies, look for some other sweet treat in the bulk bins. If you can’t find any good options, you could always make your own chocolates or candy!
Attend a virtual St. Patrick’s Day parade!
Every holiday I am always amazed at the number of virtual events you can stream. I bet if you go on YouTube you will be able to stream a bunch of different celebrations from Ireland! If you can’t find any, there are sure to be ones from prior years that you can watch. 🍻 I personally will probably watch a St. Patrick themed movie, such as Luck of the Irish.
There you have it – some awesome ways to have a zero waste St Patrick’s Day! 🇮🇪 I hope your holiday is lucky and full of gold! 🍀
Hey earth muffins, happy Fat Tuesday! 😊 I can’t believe Lent starts tomorrow… Easter and spring are just around the corner! As a practicing Catholic, I’ve always loved to challenge myself during Lent to improve my life in some way. I gave up YouTube a few years ago, stopped going on social media another time – there are so many ways to push yourself! Fat Tuesday is a time to celebrate before Lent begins, so I thought it would be fun to share ways to have a zero waste Mardi Gras. I’ve never been one to party hard on this day, but there are still so many ways to enjoy the holiday! 🎉
~Avoid plastic party favors/beads!
Mister Corona is still (unfortunately) an issue, so most Mardi Gras parties, parades, etc. have been cancelled or moved online. But, if you find your housemates or family having a party to celebrate, avoid any type of plastic party favor. I think this goes for any party, as favors tend to get used for a few hours and then chucked in the trash. Plus, do you really need a plastic bead necklace to remember the memories you have?
~If you are drinking anything, choose glass (or metal cans).
I think it goes without saying that glass should be your first choice when it comes to purchasing beverages. Metal cans can usually be recycled curbside or returned to stores, but glass is always the best alternative. Avoid plastic containers as much as you can!
~Find a local shop to buy your Paczki
Have you ever had a Paczki? These are a staple when celebrating a Polish Mardi Gras… Even if you aren’t Polish, these delicious donuts are usually only around for Fat Tuesday; make sure you get them before they are sold out. Word from the wise: pre-ordering is the way to go! 😊 I have personally found that the best paczki are made by local bakeries and donut shops. Many donut chains like Tim Hortons will make “paczki” on Mardi Gras, but they usually just taste like their typical filled donuts. A real paczki doesn’t taste exactly like a donut – plus, you can find some more unique (and traditional) filling flavors at local shops. Ask your local shop to only use a cardboard box when packaging, then compost or recycle it!
~Reduce your food waste – compost if needed!
Just as the name implies, Fat Tuesday is often about eating a lot of food; some people take the name a little too literally. I guess maybe they are preparing for the fasting on Ash Wednesday? Regardless if you decide to eat a lot or not, make sure you are consciously trying to cut back on food waste! I’ve written a post all about my top tips for reducing food waste at home, so give that a read if you haven’t already! A zero waste Mardi Gras should be one where there isn’t extra wasted food lying around. If you do find yourself with extra paczki, make sure you 1) give it to someone who will eat it or 2) compost it! I can honestly say the best decision I made in 2020 was to start composting in my apartment – I’ve saved SO much waste from going to the landfill!
~Think of an eco challenge for yourself this Lent!
Sure, Lent is a religious thing but I’ve always tried to do extra “challenges” to improve my daily life as well. If you are feeling up for it, try to think of an eco-friendly goal you would like to do from Mardi Gras to Easter. This could be decluttering, adopting a few new eco swaps, or volunteering for our planet! My boyfriend and I have decided to do a (modified) “Less is More” challenge. Every day of Lent we will be picking one new item to donate. I’ve decluttered a lot since my eco journey began. But, it will be awesome to pass on more items to someone who will use it more.
~Try not to eat meat the WHOLE Lenten season
Most Catholics do not eat meat on Fridays during Lent. (As a vegetarian, this is definitely not something I need to worry about this year haha.) If you still eat meat, an awesome Lent goal could be to stop eating meat the whole 30 days! The meat industry is horrible for the planet; this is a great way to reduce your impact on the earth for a month or so. Plus, if you have been thinking about becoming a vegetarian, this is the perfect opportunity to give it a try! Who knows, you might absolutely love it and make the switch completely. 😍 All in all, there are so many ways to make your Mardi Gras zero waste. Here’s to the upcoming growth we shall see during this Lenten season!
Hey earth muffins! It is crazy to think that Valentine’s Day is almost here! 😍 I love spoiling my friends and family with candy and cards, and it is the first year my boyfriend and I have been together on actual Valentine’s Day (thanks a lot long distance). Plus, February 15th marks the end of my busy season at work… So, I’ve been counting down the days to this holiday! 😊 In the spirit of sustainability, I thought now would be the perfect time to share some ways you can celebrate while still being kind to the planet. Here is my list on how you can celebrate a zero waste Valentine’s Day. Let’s get started!
Bake some zero waste goodies!
You need some kind of tasty treat for Valentine’s Day. It’s basically a proven fact of life. How can you celebrate a day of love without treating your stomach to something sugary? There are plenty of options to do some zero waste baking. Make your favorite cookie recipe. I personally love to make heart sugar cookies with adorable sprinkles. 🍪 Attempt making homemade truffles or chocolate bars. I tried this over Christmas and it wasn’t too difficult (but it does take some time). Or treat yourself (and your loved ones) to candy from the bulk bins! While you are baking, make sure to think about how you can reduce any food waste. I personally like to compost any leftovers!
Have a romantic movie marathon
It seems like during this pandemic my boyfriend and I have been watching a lot of TV/movies… But, Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to put on your favorite rom coms! If I would have to pick, I think my favorites would be:
I personally would throw a few Disney movies in a romantic movie marathon as well. 😉 I suggust:
–Tangled (the lantern scene will forever be my favorite scene of any movie!) –The Princess and the Frog (watch this for the romance of Ray and Evangeline… This is the only Disney movie that has ever made me cry)
Once you have indulged yourself in some romantic movies, you can totally get a little freaky. 😚 (It is Valentine’s Day after all.)
Make homemade Valentines!
Who doesn’t love getting a card in the mail? In the spirit of spreading kindness and cheer on this day, I suggest making a bunch of valentines. Use whatever craft supplies you have around the house – get creative! You can give these to your partner, friends, family, neighbors, even yourself! I personally think this is a great time to support Cards for Hospitalized Kids too. This organization accepts cards for any holiday and distributes them to kids in the hospital. If you follow me on Instagram, you saw that I made a batch of valentines this year…. I urge you to do the same! 😍 Give a little love to those who truly need it most!
Have a stay at home date night
Most couples head out for Valentine’s Day, but, due to Mister Corona, that is not going to be the case this year. I say embrace it – recreate what you would have done! Put on your fanciest dress, do your hair, throw on some makeup. Order food from your favorite local establishment (support small business!), pour some wine, turn on some smooth jazz, and have a great dinner in. You don’t need a date for this either; treat yourself to an amazing meal because you deserve it!
Celebrate your love by having some deep conversations
Valentine’s Day is a great day to reflect on your relationship with your partner. Deep conversations can sometimes be difficult to start, but they are so worth it! You should always be growing as a couple, so take time to talk about what could improve in your relationship. I’ve always found setting goals to be super helpful, so I encourage you all to do the same. 🙂 If you aren’t in a relationship, you can still have deep conversations with yourself. Think about where you want to be in life and make a plan on how to get there! A zero waste Valentine’s Day is not complete without a little self love. ❤️ How will you be celebrating this year?
Hey earth muffins, happy October! 🎃 I’m not sure how it is already a new month… I feel like September went by too fast. But, October is my favorite month of the year because FALL and HALLOWEEN. 😍 While I’m sure the Halloween celebrations are going to be quite different this year, that doesn’t mean the holiday can’t be green and good for the planet! I’ve been adding a bunch of things to my autumn bucket list; so, I thought I’d share some fun zero waste halloween activities with you all today!
Eco-Friendly Fall Activities
Support a local farmer by heading to their pumpkin patch and picking out a pumpkin. Set up a night where you carve pumpkins with whomever you are living with! I personally like to put on an autumn themed “fireplace” on the TV and crank up the Halloween tunes (especially the Charlie Brown soundtrack) as I carve! After the carving is finished, I suggest watching a classic movie like Ichabod Crane or Hocus Pocus (affiliate link).
Explore a local park and take a walk to soak up the fall colors! Don’t listen to music or a podcast; instead, take in the cool weather and the beauty around you. 🍂 If you are looking for some new Insta content, try utilizing the self timer on your phone for some fun fall pics.
Do some fall baking with pumpkin puree. I’ve made my own puree from pumpkins before, and it is actually super simple and fun to do! Pumpkin recipes are always my absolute favorite in the fall, from cookies to pie – I love it all! Check out my recipe board on Pinterest for inspiration, as I’ve been pinning a lot of fall things recently.
Hit up a local apple orchard and pick your favorite apples! Most places are pay by weight, so bring your own basket/bag (if allowed of course). There is a local orchard near me that also has a corn maze, so take advantage of any other fall activities you find when you get there!
Zero Waste Halloween Fun!
For starters, look into what your town is doing regarding trick-or-treating this year. If there is some option for you to participate, then pass out some sustainable alternatives to individually wrapped candy! Trick-or-treating might not be happening everywhere due to Mister Corona, so take the advice of your city/township.
To spread some Halloween cheer, make some boo-grams or Halloween cards for family and friends. I’ve found some pretty great secondhand cards at thrift stores, but homemade ones are even better! Make sure you have crafted the cards early, as you will want to send them out before the holiday. Wouldn’t want them to show up late! 😊
If you want to celebrate with friends on Halloween, try hosting a virtual costume contest through Zoom or Skype. Have everyone sign on wearing an outfit they think will win; take turns individually showing off the looks! Either have people set aside as judges or have each person vote for their favorite look (don’t let them vote for themselves!). Make sure there is a fun prize for the winner – I suggest a gift card or eco-friendly gift basket! 🥇
Overall, there are so many fun things to do this fall! While the Halloween parties might be at a minimum this year, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate at home. What are your plans for a zero waste Halloween this year? Get creative – I’d love to hear what you have to say in the comments! 🎃
