End Plastics
4 Ways to Reduce Plastics This Holiday Season
December 22, 2025
Gifts are one of the biggest drivers of holiday waste. Packaging, boxes, wrapping paper, bows, plastic clamshells, tape, and shipping materials often end up in the trash moments after presents are opened. According to one report, about 40 percent of holiday waste comes from packaging materials like wrap, boxes, and bows. Every December, Americans generate around 25% more waste than in any other month, adding up to 5.8 million extra tons of trash. On average, that represents about 36 more pounds of waste per person during December, compared to a typical month. In the U.K., during the Christmas season, around 114,000 tonnes of plastic packaging are sent to landfill (rather than recycled). What’s worse is that most of this trash is plastic that can’t be recycled. However, there are ways to reduce human and environmental exposure to plastics.
Reducing Plastics in Meals
Food and kitchen practices are a major source of holiday plastics, not only because of surplus meals but also due to the plastics used in preparation, serving, and storage. Disposable plates, cups, cutlery, plastic chopping boards, utensils, take-out containers, plastic food wrap, freezer bags, and packaging all contribute to massive plastic trash and microplastic contamination. In the U.S., plastic containers and packaging accounted for the largest share of plastic tonnage in municipal solid waste – over 14.5 million tons annually. Single‑use plastics (like disposable plates, cups, utensils, and containers) remain among the top contributors to plastic waste that ends up as litter or in waterways.
Studies show that plastic food containers, especially when heated (e.g., microwaving, hot takeout, warm soups), can release microplastics and nanoplastics. In one study, a single square centimeter of a polypropylene container released millions of microplastics and billions of nanoplastics merely through microwave heating or long-term storage. These micro‑ and nanoplastics are a concern not only because they are tiny particles that enter the environment, but also because plastic often contains additives (like bisphenol A, phthalates, plasticizers, flame‑retardants) that can leach into food and drinks and have been linked to illnesses like endocrine disruption, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity, and cancer. Populations such as infants are especially at risk.
By switching to reusable items such as plates, cups, cutlery, and storage containers made of glass, metal, silicone, or ceramic, families can dramatically reduce plastic use during holiday meals. Avoid single-use plastic items and packaging, and opt for biodegradable materials instead.
Reducing Plastics in Gifts
Holiday gifts are a major source of plastic waste, from plastic-coated wrapping paper, tape, ribbons, bows, and glittery or metallic embellishments to shipping materials like bubble wrap, plastic airbags, foam peanuts, polybags, and labels. In the U.S., more than 300,000 tons of wrapping paper are discarded every holiday season. Product packaging also contributes heavily, including molded plastic toy shells, electronics clamshells, protective films, chargers, cosmetics, and personal care kits in rigid plastic boxes, and food gift baskets wrapped in shrink wrap. Online shopping adds extra packaging too; it produces 4.8 times more packaging waste than shopping in person. Even receipts, often coated with BPA or BPS thermal paper, add to the problem. Retail bags, though declining due to bag bans, and online shopping packaging further increase plastic use.
But surveys show that although a large majority of Americans see holiday waste as a problem, only about 25% take active steps to recycle or reduce holiday packaging.
When buying physical products, selecting items with minimal or compostable packaging and consolidating shipments helps cut excess plastic. Choosing gifts from local artisans, experiences, or digital items can also minimize packaging waste. Avoiding tiny plastic gadgets that break quickly and opting for consumables like snacks, lip balms, artisanal soaps, or practical items reduces unnecessary waste.
To reduce plastic wrapping, people can wrap using recyclable kraft paper, newspaper, old maps, or fabric wraps (like furoshiki), and replace plastic tape with paper tape or twine. Reusing packaging materials such as boxes and bubble wrap, supporting eco-friendly retailers, and properly sorting recyclables further prevent plastics from entering landfills. Creative reusable options like fabric wraps, scarves, or decorative tins provide sustainable alternatives while keeping gifts festive.
Reducing Plastics in Decorations
Up to 75% of post-holiday cleanup waste comes from decorations such as lights, tinsel, ornaments, and novelty items. Many holiday lights are discarded each year, with estimates showing that as many as 80% of light strands are thrown away rather than recycled. Christmas trees also contribute heavily, as Americans purchase between 25 and 30 million real or artificial trees annually, many of which end up in landfills along with plastic ornaments and other decor. Common sources of plastic waste include tinsel, plastic ornaments and their packaging, artificial trees made of PVC, insulation and wiring in LED lights, disposable décor like plastic tablecloths and banners, party favors, and microplastic-producing items such as confetti and glitter.
To reduce this plastic burden, it is best to reuse existing decorations whenever possible. Choosing high-quality or natural décor, such as pine branches, dried fruit, popcorn strings, or cinnamon sticks, can replace plastic items and last for many years. Cloth or paper table coverings, real plates, cups, and utensils help avoid disposable plastics, and asking catering services for bulk containers instead of foam or individually wrapped items further cuts waste. Avoiding tinsel, glitter, and other microplastic-producing materials, using biodegradable confetti, and borrowing decorations or party supplies from friends or community groups are additional ways to reduce holiday plastic waste and make celebrations more sustainable.
Recycling and Responsible Disposal
Some things cannot be reused, so recycling and proper waste disposal make a big difference during the holidays. Many of the items we throw away, like cardboard boxes, plain paper, glass, metal, can be recycled if sorted correctly and not contaminated by food waste or non‑recyclable materials. In recent years in the U.S., around 71-76% of cardboard and 65-69% of paper used for shipping and packaging have been recovered for recycling. This shows that recycling infrastructure works when we take the time to use it correctly.
Despite this, a lot of holiday waste ends up in landfills because of improper sorting, wrapping paper with non‑recyclable coatings, plastic tape, or contaminated food packaging. One guide estimates that up to 80% of holiday waste could be reused, repurposed, recycled, or composted if carefully managed.
To make recycling count, it helps to flatten and bundle cardboard boxes, separate plastic film, clean out food containers, separate recyclables from trash, and avoid contaminating recycling bins with non‑recyclable items. If your local recycling program does not accept certain plastics or waste types, consider drop‑off centers or reuse options for plastics, lights, and decorations.
You do not need to give up the joy and magic of the holidays to be mindful about waste. Reducing plastic use, rethinking consumption, and being intentional about disposal can help protect Earth’s resources while preserving the warmth and generosity that make the season special.