(Even if the celebrations are already underway)
The holidays are a time of celebration and connection, but they are also one of the most waste-intensive times of year. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, household waste increases by an estimated 25 percent, adding roughly 1 million extra tons of trash per week in the United States alone. Most of that increase comes from food waste, packaging, and wrapping materials, among other things.
The good news is that even if you are just days away from your holiday celebrations, there are still easy, low-cost ways to reduce waste without adding stress. Here are some practical tips you can use right now.
Focus on Food Waste Reduction
Food waste is one of the biggest contributors to holiday trash and one of the easiest places to make an impact.
- Plan for leftovers. Have containers ready and encourage guests to take food home.
- Be realistic with portions. If you are still cooking or baking, consider scaling recipes down slightly. Tools like the Guest-imator at savethefood.com can help estimate how much food you actually need.
- Choose dishes that reheat well. Foods that store and reheat easily are more likely to be eaten later instead of tossed.
- Use your freezer. Many leftovers freeze well and can become future meals.
- Compost food scraps whenever possible. Many Connecticut towns offer transfer station drop-offs, community compost programs, or even curbside composting.
Reducing food waste saves money, conserves resources, and keeps organic material out of landfills where it generates methane.
Reuse What You Already Have for Gatherings
Before buying anything new for hosting or attending gatherings, take stock of what is already on hand.
- Extra serving dishes, platters, or utensils tucked away
- Table linens, candles, or decor that can be reused year after year
- Containers that can double as leftover storage
Using what you already own reduces waste and often feels less stressful than last-minute shopping.
Rethink Wrapping and Packaging Waste
Wrapping paper, bows, and ribbons are often used once and thrown away, but there are better options, even at the last minute.
- Reuse gift bags, boxes, and tissue paper from previous years.
- Wrap creatively using paper bags, newspaper, or scrap paper decorated with markers or twine.
- Save what you can. Open gifts carefully so paper, bags, and ribbons can be reused next year.
- Please keep in mind that wrapping paper and gift bags are not recyclable.
Decorate Thoughtfully and Dispose Responsibly
Holiday decor can be joyful, but it is also an area where a lot of unnecessary waste is generated.
- Reuse and rotate decor instead of buying new items each year.
- Borrow or swap decorations with friends, neighbors, or community groups.
- When possible, choose natural elements such as greenery or pinecones and compost them afterward.
- Dispose thoughtfully. Broken lights, artificial trees, and mixed-material decorations often require special handling, so check your town’s guidelines before placing them in the trash.
Being mindful about decor helps reduce waste while still allowing space for celebration.
Know What Goes Where
One of the most impactful things you can do during the holidays is recycle correctly.
- Flatten cardboard boxes before recycling.
- Remove food residue from containers.
- Keep plastic bags, cords, and string lights out of curbside recycling.
- When unsure, look it up. When in doubt, throw it out. This helps prevent recycling contamination.
RecycleCT offers resources and guidance to help residents understand what is recyclable in Connecticut communities. Not sure What’s IN, What’s OUT? Ask the RecycleCT Wizard.
Be Kind to Yourself
Reducing waste does not mean doing everything perfectly. The holidays are busy, emotional, and full, and sustainability should support well-being, not add pressure.
Do what you can, where you can. Even small changes such as saving leftovers, recycling correctly, or reusing decor add up when many people participate. Remember that you are part of a growing community working toward smarter systems and less waste.
If you are looking for more tips, local resources, or clarification on recycling and composting in Connecticut, RecycleCT is here to help. Together, we can make the holidays a little lighter on our landfills and more intentional overall.