Shop ‘Til You Drop
Fact
Shopping for the holidays can be a daunting task, to say the least. America’s waste increases 25 percent during the holidays, so cutting corners when you can may save more than you think. Before you make the trip, map out a plan and reduce your overall impact this season.
Get Started
- Make a shopping list and stick to it. Reject the carefully constructed displays and sales that beg you to buy unnecessary items. A list also helps prevent an emergency trip for a forgotten item later.
- Patrol the packaging. When possible, compare products and opt for the item with less packaging or packaging that is more easily recycled.
- Decide the most efficient route between stores. What way means the least amount of driving? Can you go to one store to find more than one gift?
Become a Pro
- Gather your troops. As you gear up to save some money on holiday gifts, your friends and family may be planning to do likewise. Is there anyone who has a similar shopping agenda to yours? Carpooling is an excellent option to reduce carbon emissions and just have some fun fighting crowds with a companion.
- Shopping for presents doesn’t need to entail purchasing physical gifts. Supporting a favorite charity or cause is a truly thoughtful alternative. If you’re new to giving, groups such as Charity Navigator or the American Institute of Philanthropy can help you make informed decisions.
- Order multiple items that can be shipped together in one purchase to decrease packaging material and transportation costs. To have 10 pounds of packages shipped by overnight air uses 40 percent less fuel than driving yourself round-trip to the mall, according to the Center for Energy and Climate Solutions.
