The yuletide season is just around the corner and I’m pretty sure that you’re all busy with your Christmas preparations. How are the decorations coming along? Ooh, did you buy new lights? Are you going for an organic Christmas tree this year or are you planning on an artificial one? Whatever the case is, one thing is confirmed – the holiday spirit is floating in the air, indeed.
And it’s something no one can ever take away from you.
But while it is a joyous occasion, it also tends to be one of the most problematic ones. People are celebrating all over the world – so much so, that they forget that there is an entire year, an entire lifetime, waiting after Christmas. In just a single month, people all over come together – to accumulate the biggest and most horrific waste pile imaginable.
Don’t worry, you heard it right.
This infographic shows that the Christmas season is a major environment biohazard. And, it’s a pretty alarming one, at that. The waste we produce by the time the season ends is almost insurmountable. From all the product packaging we tear off our Christmas dinner ingredients, gift wrappers we crumple after opening every present, down to the thousands of pine trees we cut off to use as decoration at home and throw away after Christmas is over; I’m telling you, the holidays is certainly not a ho-ho-ho matter.
Well, should you stop celebrating Christmas?
Why, of course not. I am not in the position to tell you, or the whopping 7.5 billion people alive in this world for that matter, to stop celebrating Christmas. Heck, even I’m a huge fan of Santa’s season. Christmas is all about love, sharing, forgiveness, and joy. It’s the kind of positivity we need in our lives and no one is ever going to get in the way of this celebration. There is, however, something we call “responsible celebrating.”
What am I talking about? Isn’t Christmas supposed to be excessive?
Yes, in every good way possible. Spread excessive love; share excessive happiness. Just please – don’t accumulate excessive waste. There are many ways you can celebrate and enjoy Christmas without causing an environmental hazard. You can switch to reusable Christmas trees, for a start. Global warming is an impending environment issue and cutting down trees does not help with overcoming the problem – not one bit. You may also opt for reusable dinnerware during Christmas dinners and parties. Refrain from using plastic drinking straws and plastic cups. You don’t know how much activists have battled against plastic use in recent years. The least you can do is to not worsen the situation.
Rejoice this Christmas season but be responsible. Clean up after yourself and well, if you have the time, clean up for others as well. Being someone who knows better, you should choose what’s best for the greater good. I wish you and your family a perfectly clean and perfectly happy Christmas. Happy holidays!