Zero Waste Holiday

Make some easy shifts to your gifting traditions to make a huge positive impact this year. Choose gifts that don't create any waste!

Gift the experience of park passes! Support their health, wellbeing, and a sense of wonder by gifting local, state, or national park passes.

• Palo Alto Foothills Park
• Santa Clara County Parks
• California State Parks
• National Park Service

Gift certificates to restorative services such as massage, yoga, or spa days make great waste-free gifts!

Gift experiences such as art, cooking, dance, fitness, music, and other classes.

Gift tickets to local concerts, plays, theaters, or movies. Don't forget to explore the Palo Alto Children's Theatre and our City Calendar for upcoming events!

Make a meaningful impact in their lives and in the world by making a donation to a charity of their choice.

When giving physical gifts, choose wrapping paper that can be recycled. Repurpose old paper shopping bags and use crayons and markers to decorate the outside with a personalized touch. Wrapping paper that has glitter, tinsel, or any material other than paper attached cannot be recycled and will need to be placed into the black landfill container.

Get into those festive vibes this year. Whether you are out and about or snuggled up at home, prioritize sustainable celebrations by reducing waste!

Bring your reusable mug for your favorite holiday drinks! If you often forget to bring your mug, try keeping one in your car or near your front door for easy access.

Your reusable shopping bags aren't just for the grocery store — make sure to bring them for any holiday shopping you plan to do this year. Similarly, keep them in your car or near the front door to help you remember to bring them.

Gather compostable decorations instead of disposable. Swap traditional plastic ornaments for charming gingerbread houses, fragrant sprigs of rosemary, and rustic clippings from pine trees. Elevate your eco-friendly décor with the warmth of dried citrus slices and the earthy charm of leaves collected from your own yard. Traditional confetti and glitter become microplastics in our environment — instead use a hole punch on dried leaves for an environmentally friendly option! If purchasing a Christmas tree or wreath, make sure to get an unflocked tree so it can be composted after.

Choose decorations that are durable and can be reused for many years such as LED holiday lights, fabric table cloths, and ceramic figurines. 

As the gatherings and dinners commence this holiday season, minimize your environmental footprint through responsible and sustainable food practices.

Try out the “Guest-imator” tool to help you with complex portion planning around holiday meals. You can plan for all variables — leftovers, meal types, number of people, and even that crafty nephew who slips his veggies to the dog!

Make sure to eat with reusable foodware items and cloth napkins to cut out the waste from disposable plates, utensils, and cups. Reducing waste and helping the environment is worth the amount of effort needed to wash reusable foodware! Need to borrow some? Contact one of our Zero Waste Block Leaders ahead of time.

Repurpose your holiday leftovers into festive creations!  Elevate ham or turkey slices into a grilled cheese masterpiece, transform mashed potatoes into savory potato bakes, and craft hearty soups by incorporating leftover gravy and vegetables. Sweeten the deal by using cranberry sauce as a delightful glaze to breathe new life into your post-celebration meals. Don’t forget to freeze food you cannot eat in time instead of throwing it in the green compost cart!