Sustainable Holiday Tips
By: Rose Hirsch 

We are all getting ready for the holiday season.  With Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa approaching this may be the most wonderful time of the year but also the most wasteful.

During this holiday season, Americans create about 25% more waste, which amounts to a million extra tons of garbage each week.

So how can we make this holiday season a little more sustainable?  Here are some general tips:

• Shop Locally and carpool if you can or use public transportation. This will cut down transportation emissions.
• Try and buy eco-friendly gifts.  You can make a gift, give an app, gift an experience or donate to a charity.

• If you eat turkey, buy your turkey locally – this will reduce your carbon footprint.
• Scale back on your menu to cut back on waste.
• Don’t use plastic or paper.  You can set your table with silverware, real glass plates and cloth napkins.
• Use leaves to create an autumn leaf bouquet or create a fall wreath with vines, ribbons, leaves and gourds.  Reuse pumpkins from Halloween, fill with cut flowers to create a centerpiece.

• Reuse your menorah each year or make your own menorah using recycled materials.
• If you use real candles – choose organic – beeswax, soy or vegetable wax.
• Stay away from plastic dreidels.  You can make dreidels out of clay or wood.
• Make vegan latkes and other plant-based Hanukkah recipes.
• Give gifts that are experiences instead of eight gifts of presents.
• Re-use gift wrap.

• Use natural decorations – a sustainable tree, pinecones, evergreen branches, sticks.  These can be put in the compost bin after the holiday season.
• Use LED or solar lights. They use less energy to function.
• Use candles – choose organic – beeswax, soy or vegetable wax.
• Prepare a plant-based meal and reduce food waste.
• Buy local products or make your own eco-friendly gifts.
• Make edible ornaments – popcorn garland, pinecones, ornaments made from clay or wood.
• Make your own centerpiece by reusing glass jars, paper, ribbons, acorns, pinecones, etc.

Kwanzaa
There are seven symbols of Kwanzaa:

• Mkeka – This is a mat that is usually made of straw.  Try and reuse it each year.
• Mazao – These are the crops, fruits and vegetables that represent the harvest.  Once these are used.  Try and use them as part of your meal.
• Kinara – This is the candle holder.  Choose one that is locally made or make one yourself out of wood, empty jars, etc.
• Mishumaa – The seven candles that represent the seven principles. Use sustainable candles that are made with soy, beeswax or coconut wax.
• Muhindi – Corn – Reuse it each year if possible or buy fresh and use as part of a meal.
• Kikombe che Umoja – the Unity cup – Reuse it each year.
• Zawandi – Gift an experience that keeps the seven principles in mind.