When shopping for holiday gifts this season, don’t forget someone else important on your list – Mother Earth. Consider purchasing presents that your loved ones will enjoy that also can reduce or even eliminate waste.
We’ve come up with some gift ideas that are good for the environment and will be enjoyed by your friends and family.
Reusable Water Bottle
It’s no secret that a huge part of our solid waste includes plastic bottles and coffee cups. Why not provide your loved one with a way to hydrate that promotes sustainability? According to Earthday.org, Americans buy more than 50 billion disposable water bottles per year, or 13 bottle per month, per person. Besides the obvious environmental benefits, think about how much money you will be saving your loved ones on their hydration alone!
For the coffee or tea drinkers in your life, get them a travel mug. Check out their favorite coffee stops and see if they sell refillable cups.
An Experience
A meaningful gift that will last a long time in the memories of your loved one is an experience. Providing something fun to do is an amazing way to reduce waste and bring joy. Here are some experiences in or near Lenawee County you could gift.
- For a nature lover, try a pass or membership to Hidden Lakes Gardens. A state parks pass will also provide plenty of experiences throughout the year.
- Movie buffs will enjoy tickets at MJR in Adrian, Clinton Theater, Hudson Cinema, or Rex Theater in Morenci.
- Prefer a live performance? Reserve a seat at the Croswell Opera House, the Tecumseh Center for the Arts, the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, or at one of our colleges.
- A membership or pass to the zoo, especially if it covers the whole family, is a great gift.
- For history, science, or art buffs, a museum pass might bring happiness all year.
- For foodies and drink lovers, try a restaurant gift card or an experience at one of our local wineries and breweries.
- Help them learn something new by gifting them with an art or music lesson, a crafting class, or something else that sparks their interest. Many of our municipalities have low-cost recreation activities.
Digital Gifts
While there is a certain appeal to unwrapping a physical present under the tree, we live in a digital world these days. Consider giving your loved one an audiobook, e-book, digital copy of a film, or a downloadable video gave. Subscriptions to a streaming service for books, movies, tv, and games can keep someone entertained for a while.
Most providers of digital content have a way to make sure that the item is delivered to their inbox exactly when you want. No ruined surprises! If you need to see your loved one “opening” a gift, you could always write out what your purchased for them in a card (a recyclable one, of course).
Second Hand
You’ve heard the saying “one man’s trash is another’s treasure.” This could apply to something that your loved one would really enjoy! Lenawee County is blessed with so many second-hand, thrift, and antique shops. Sometimes unique one-of-a-kind gifts can be found at some of these places. And what’s better – many of them also support charity.
If you are looking for something specific, you can also try out some of the online marketplaces and social media. Many neighbors right here in the county might have the exact thing that you need.
Besides diverting these gift items from the waste bin, shopping second-hand has another benefit. Many of these items come without all the bulky packaging that tends to fill up our waste bins on Christmas morning.
Sustainable Supplies
If you have a friend or family member that already loves to embrace sustainability, consider purchasing something that will contribute to the cause. They may have some items on their wish lists that will help them reduce waste in the year to come.
Some examples include:
- A cute compost bin for their counter. A quick search online reveals that there are bins and buckets that can match any kitchen’s décor.
- A compost tumbler for outside that helps them mix their scraps with their yard waste.
- Reusable produce bags for the grocery store.
- Fashionable reusable shopping bags.
- Solar powered phone charging kit.
- Metal straws, travel utensil kits, and stainless-steel lunch containers.
By thinking creatively and with sustainability in mind while doing your holiday shopping this season, you can help provide your loved ones with an even greater gift – a healthy planet. Check out our website at https://lenawee.mi.us/262/Solid-Waste-Department for recycling tips and information.