Shop Sustainably this Holiday Season

3 minute read

• Holiday shopping results in higher carbon emissions per person

• Shopping local, early, and secondhand can reduce your holiday carbon footprint

• Gifting experiences, donating in someone’s name, researching sellers, and planting trees are creative ways to gift sustainably 

Americans are projected to spend around $850 billion on holiday shopping this year. This spending results in an additional 1,400 pounds of carbon dioxide emitted by each person. Find ways to reduce your carbon footprint this holiday season by reading our list below.

Shop Local

Shopping local not only cuts out the carbon emissions from the retailer shipping the gift to you, but it also benefits a local business owner in your community. Small businesses are struggling to compete with larger retailers, so if you are able, support a local business this holiday season.

Shop Early

When you shop early you give yourself time to select really thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. You also cut down on the stress of last minute holiday shopping. And most importantly, from an environmental standpoint, you reduce the need for expedited shipping. Choosing this shipping option results in more trips with fewer packages, making delivery systems less efficient. There are more carbon emissions per package when you put a rush on them, so get started as early as you can.

Consider Secondhand

We recognize that this option might not be for everyone, or for everything. However, this can be a great option because many secondhand stores have items that are new or in great condition. You can also get creative and use things you find in a secondhand store to make a DIY gift.

Gift Experiences

If you feel overwhelmed by the number of things in the world, we’re right there with you. One way you can avoid giving someone another item that’s going to collect dust on a shelf and be thrown away eventually, is to gift experiences. Your loved ones will probably get more joy out of indoor rock climbing or a visit to a national park using a pass you bought them, than receiving a physical item. You can find a pretty extensive list of experiences to gift here. You can also search for experiences based on your loved ones’ interests, and some might even have discounts for Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

Donate to a Cause They Care About

If you have an animal lover in your life, donate to a local shelter in their name. If you know someone passionate about cancer research, donate to a reputable cancer research foundation. Before donating to a charity, it’s important to research the legitimacy of the organization. Charity Navigator rates charities on a four-star scale based on finances, accountability, and transparency. Choosing a charity with a high score on Charity Navigator let’s you feel confident that your donation is actually helping the cause they care about.

Research Who You’re Buying From

If you are shopping online, do a little research into the company you’re buying from. With clothing and beauty products being popular gifts, try to avoid fast fashion and unethical skincare companies that pollute the environment and underpay their workers. Check out some of our socially responsible partnered brands who plant trees to offset their carbon emissions from shipping. These brands include Gooseberry Intimates, True Skincare, and Plant Collective, which all sell items that would make awesome gifts!

Offset Their Carbon Footprint

If you have a friend who worries a lot about their carbon footprint, one great option is to offset their footprint for a month or even a year using Ecodrive. The average person’s monthly carbon footprint can be offset by planting 20 trees, which costs about $20. It’s an affordable way to show your loved one that you have been listening and you know that they care about the environment. You can also offset your own emissions by planting trees. If the average person is responsible for an extra 1,400 pounds of carbon during the holiday season, you would only need to plant two or three trees to offset it.

Happy Holidays! And Happy Sustainable Shopping!