O Christmas Tree

Sustainable Minimalists

Ah, the holidays. The 5-ish weeks between Black Friday and New Year's Day tend to be an extended party of sorts in which many of us overspend, overeat/drink, overdecorate, and excessively waste. The excesses associated with the holidays come with a hefty environmental cost: on average, US households produce 25% more trash than normal between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day; worse, wonton wastefulness can (and does) add more than half a metric ton onto our annual carbon footprints.

I believe it's entirely possible to have a joyous December without the waste and so, on today's show, we discuss practical ways to spread holiday cheer with the planet in mind.

Here's a preview:

[2:00] Artificial, local, root ball intact, and more: Breaking down the Christmas tree conundrum via Steph's handy dandy grading rubric

[17:00] 4 of the most impactful (and practical!) ways to spread good tidings without being wasteful, according to mathematics

Resources mentioned:

• Organic Christmas Tree Farms Near You Database
• The Carbon Trust's Tips For A More Sustainable Christmas (via Carbon Trust)
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• Email me and say hello! [e-mail]

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