Recycling and Reducing Waste for 2024 into 2025
The holiday season from October to March is a time of joy, reflection and togetherness. Whether you’re celebrating Diwali, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve or Ramadan, each holiday brings special traditions that make the season meaningful. But let’s be real—the holidays also create a lot of waste. From food scraps and plastic decorations to gift wrap and energy consumption, celebrations can leave a lasting environmental impact.
The good news? Sustainable holidays are not only possible but easy to achieve with a few small changes. You can honour your traditions while being mindful of the planet. Here’s how to enjoy a waste-free, meaningful and sustainable holiday season in 2024.
🎇 Diwali (October 31 – November 4, 2024) | A Brighter, More Sustainable Holiday
Diwali is the Festival of Lights, and while it’s a time for joy, the waste from firecrackers, plastic decorations and food excess can add up. Here’s how to celebrate more sustainably:
✅ Opt for clay diyas over plastic – Traditional clay diyas are biodegradable and reusable. If using candles, go for beeswax or soy-based alternatives instead of paraffin.
✅ Use LED lights – They last longer and use significantly less energy than incandescent bulbs, making them an eco-friendly choice.
✅ Make natural rangoli – Instead of artificial colours, use flower petals, turmeric, coffee grounds or rice flour for beautiful, biodegradable designs.
✅ Be mindful with sweets and food – Prepare only what’s needed, share extras with neighbours and compost food scraps to reduce waste.
✅ Skip personal fireworks – Firecrackers contribute to air and noise pollution. Instead, consider eco-friendly alternatives like laser light shows or lantern releases.
🦃 Thanksgiving (November 28, 2024) | A Feast Without the Waste
Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, but let’s make sure we’re not also feeding the landfills. Here’s how to enjoy a sustainable holiday feast:
✅ Plan portions to reduce waste – Cook only what you need, store leftovers properly and get creative with meals in the days after.
✅ Use real dishes instead of disposables – A little extra washing up is worth avoiding single-use plastics.
✅ Compost food scraps – Vegetable peels, eggshells and coffee grounds can go back into the earth instead of the bin.
✅ Support local farmers – Locally sourced ingredients reduce the carbon footprint and support small businesses.
✅ Decorate with nature – Pumpkins, autumn leaves and pinecones create a festive atmosphere without plastic waste.
🕎 Hanukkah (December 25 – January 2, 2025) | A Greener Festival of Lights
Hanukkah celebrations often include menorahs, delicious fried foods and gift-giving. Here’s how to make it more sustainable:
✅ Choose a reusable menorah – Metal, glass or ceramic menorahs last for years.
✅ Pick beeswax or soy candles – These burn cleaner and are better for the environment than paraffin candles.
✅ Wrap gifts in reusable materials – Furoshiki cloth wrapping, recycled paper or reusable gift bags cut down on waste.
✅ Recycle or repurpose cooking oil – Instead of pouring used oil down the drain, look for local biodiesel recycling programs.
🎄 Christmas (December 25, 2024) | A Sustainable Holiday Without the Waste
Christmas is one of the most wasteful holidays, but small changes can make a big impact:
✅ Opt for a real or rented tree – Potted trees can be replanted, or you can rent a live tree from a local farm instead of buying a plastic one.
✅ Choose plastic-free decorations – Dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, paper snowflakes and wooden ornaments are beautiful and eco-friendly.
✅ Think about gift giving – Experiences, second-hand treasures and fair-trade gifts are thoughtful without creating unnecessary waste.
✅ Rethink gift wrapping – Use reusable fabric, brown paper, or repurpose newspaper instead of glossy wrapping paper.
⚫🔴🟢 Kwanzaa (December 26 – January 1, 2025) | A Celebration of Culture and Sustainability
Kwanzaa focuses on community, creativity and responsibility, making it a great time to incorporate sustainability:
✅ Make DIY gifts – Handmade jewellery, home-cooked meals and upcycled crafts make gifts more personal and sustainable.
✅ Use natural and reusable decorations – Woven baskets, wooden carvings and fabric banners can be stored and used every year.
✅ Light your kinara responsibly – Beeswax or soy candles are a more sustainable alternative to paraffin.
🎉 New Year’s Eve (December 31 – January 1, 2025) | A Sustainable Holiday for Fresh Beginnings
The New Year is all about new resolutions—why not make sustainability one of them?
✅ Skip personal fireworks – They create air and noise pollution. Instead, attend a public display or opt for biodegradable confetti and sparklers.
✅ Use reusable party supplies – Cloth napkins, glassware and real plates keep things stylish and waste-free.
✅ Declutter responsibly – If you’re starting the new year fresh, donate or recycle or upcycle unwanted clothes, furniture and electronics instead of throwing them away.
✅ Set sustainable resolutions – Whether it’s reducing plastic, shopping locally or cutting food waste, small changes add up throughout the year.
🌙 Ramadan (March 1 – March 30, 2025) | A Sustainable Month of Reflection
Although Ramadan is celebrated in March next year, it’s worth including in this guide because it aligns perfectly with sustainability—moderation, charity and self-discipline are at its core. Here’s how to make Ramadan even more eco-friendly:
✅ Be mindful of food waste during Suhoor and Iftar – Plan meals carefully to avoid excess and store leftovers properly.
✅ Choose sustainable decorations – Lanterns, fabric banners and LED string lights can be reused year after year.
✅ Opt for reusable water bottles and utensils – Many mosques and community centres provide plastic cups and plates for Iftar. Bringing your own reusable ones reduces waste.
✅ Donate clothes and food responsibly – Instead of throwing out old items, donate them to those in need.
✅ Support ethical brands – If buying gifts for Eid, choose fair-trade, eco-friendly or locally made products.
Why Sustainable Holidays Matter
Holidays should be about joy, connection and reflection—not waste. Sustainable holidays don’t mean giving up traditions; they mean celebrating in a way that respects both our culture and the planet. By composting food, reducing plastic, recycling decorations and rethinking the way we give gifts, we can enjoy the magic of the season without harming the environment.
💚 How will you make your holidays more sustainable this year? Drop your ideas in the comments and let’s make 2024 a year of sustainable holidays that bring joy without waste! 🎁♻️
