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HOLIDAYS ARE ALL ABOUT GIFTING
Date
- Published December 1st, 2021
'Sharing the holiday with other people, and feeling that you're giving of yourself, gets you past all the commercialism'
Shopping for holiday gifts is one of the most exciting activities to participate in during the holiday season. While picking the right gift items for your loved ones may seem a little challenging, the thought of giving them something they will cherish keeps you going. However, when shopping for gifts for your loved ones, do you consider the environmental impact of your purchases?
Many items purchased as gifts during the holidays are made from non-biodegradable materials such as plastic, glass, synthetic fibers, and so on. Some gift items only last for a short period before they become unusable. Such gifts are then disposed of, contributing to the quick accumulation of wastes in landfills. Instead of buying gifts that negatively impact the environment, why not switch to buying sustainable gifts your loved ones are sure to fall in love with again and again? There are quite a few unique and practical items you can gift your loved ones– you only have to be looking in the right direction!
A guide to choosing sustainable gifts for your loved 1
Buy items derived from eco-friendly sources: Eco-friendly sources include sustainably grown plant products and recycled materials. Rather than giving your loved ones gifts that will contribute to environmental pollution after its disposal, why not opt for something that will cause little or no harm to the environment? Check the label of the item you want to purchase to ensure that the ingredients are sourced sustainably.
Buy gifts with long-term usability: When choosing a sustainable gift item for your loved ones, consider the lifespan of such gift items. Avoid buying gifts that will only be useful for a short period before they are discarded. This act will only contribute to landfills filling up more quickly, thus increasing the rate of pollution. Buy gifts that are useful, durable, and have the potential to last for a long time. Your loved ones will definitely appreciate them.
When possible, buy second-hand items: Buying second-hand is not always about saving money. You will also be preserving the environment. Purchasing second-hand items increase the lifespan of these items while also reducing their environmental footprint. It also lowers the demand for new goods, which in turn reduces supply from manufacturers. A reduction in supply will translate to reduced usage of natural resources. Also, shopping second-hand puts you in a better position to buy uncommon high-quality gifts for your loved ones.
Ask about the working conditions of the factory workers: Sustainability is not only about protecting the environment. It also involves protecting the interests of the workers that produce the goods we use. Many manufacturers outsource the production process to foreigners in low-income countries. Such workers are paid unfair wages and subjected to harsh working conditions. Check for information about the working condition of the workers on the producers’ website. If you can’t find any information, you can mail the company to ask. Also, look out for labels that certify that an item was sustainably produced, such as Fairtrade.
