The Ugly Holiday Sweater and other wasteful items

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And stop with the plastic tablecloths! Used once and tossed.

oooh I love a plastic tablecloth when I do art activities with the kids. I just had friends over for cookie decorating ( yes they ate the cookies) and after we were done we just balled up the tablecloth and threw it away. I guess it’s a waste of plastic but I’m alright with it 2-4 times a year.

It’s fine. I had a book by the union of concerned sciences and it says that too often people focus on the wrong measures, as evidenced by this thread. Christmas decorations? My ornaments are nearly 50 years old. My nutcracker is 28. They bring me immense joy. The book says not to worry about using paper/plastic for an occasional picnic or gathering. Eating little to no meat, driving efficient cars, and reducing flying have a much greater impact. You should also vote in politicians who prioritize the environment and support environmental organizations that are educating, improving, and lobbying.

I definitely think people should be mindful about reducing consumption, but you don’t need to be sanctimonious about it. It will work against the cause.

You mean those plastic tablecloths that are intended to be thrown away? I have some plastic tablecloths (like what they used to call oilcloth but probably not made the same) I've gotten from thrift stores. I use them under my tablecloth as a cheap table protector (have never got to the point of buying pads like my in laws had), I use them for messy stuff, sometimes I cut them into pieces for small protectors. Wipe them off and they're fine. They're stored in the pantry if not using.

[Anonymous]

I would say the cheap gifts stores offer as easy Xmas gifts--the toiletries sets, condiments sets, hot cocoa sets, what have you. Extra packaging and useless. If you want to give soap and lotion, buy nice stuff and wrap it up yourself.

Ugly sweaters were never a part of my life, although my FIL had a Christmas tie he wore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And stop with the plastic tablecloths! Used once and tossed.

oooh I love a plastic tablecloth when I do art activities with the kids. I just had friends over for cookie decorating ( yes they ate the cookies) and after we were done we just balled up the tablecloth and threw it away. I guess it’s a waste of plastic but I’m alright with it 2-4 times a year.

For art activities, buy a tarp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Toys for Tots. Plastic shipped from China. Given to kids who already have more toys than I had growing up in the 60s. I did not feel that anything was missing. I had a fun childhood.

Wait you think donating toys to homeless children is wasteful?

[Anonymous]

My family is such a mix of wasteful and green.


I guess "the good":
1. We used cloth diapers, not disposable.
2. I use a menstrual cup and cloth pads, not disposable.
3. The entire family is vegetarian.
4. We air dry a lot of our clothing
5. We do not use very many paper towels (usually 6-10 rolls per year)
6. We never use paper napkins.
7. Our dog waste bags are biodegradable.
8. We compost and recycle as much as possible.
9. We have very little lawn, but the lawn we do have is not treated with chemicals, nor do we bag grass clippings.
10. We don't use plastic store sacks or plastic wrap. The few Ziploc bags we use get washed and reused.

[/u]"The bad":[u]
1. We do use Keurig pods.
2. We have far too many clothes and frequently change our clothes too often, which means we do a lot of laundry.
3. We use wrapping paper.
4. We use a ton of electricity due to air conditioning, television, internet, lights, music, and so on.
5. We have some lawn.
6. We throw away too much food because it goes bad before we consume it.
7. We have cars and drive too much.
8. We have too much stuff. Toys, crafts, clothing, and "stuff" fills our home.
9. We eat out too often.
10. We throw away too much packaging due to online shopping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And stop with the plastic tablecloths! Used once and tossed.

oooh I love a plastic tablecloth when I do art activities with the kids. I just had friends over for cookie decorating ( yes they ate the cookies) and after we were done we just balled up the tablecloth and threw it away. I guess it’s a waste of plastic but I’m alright with it 2-4 times a year.

It’s fine. I had a book by the union of concerned sciences and it says that too often people focus on the wrong measures, as evidenced by this thread. Christmas decorations? My ornaments are nearly 50 years old. My nutcracker is 28. They bring me immense joy. The book says not to worry about using paper/plastic for an occasional picnic or gathering. Eating little to no meat, driving efficient cars, and reducing flying have a much greater impact. You should also vote in politicians who prioritize the environment and support environmental organizations that are educating, improving, and lobbying.

I definitely think people should be mindful about reducing consumption, but you don’t need to be sanctimonious about it. It will work against the cause.

THIS!!! It is funny because a lot of the people I know who consider themselves "earthy" and "green" are also huge travelers. Like, a plane trip every month, one or two international trips a year, etc. Using a K-Cup every day, or a plastic table cloth a few times a year, being given a few plastic ornaments at Christmas...a minuscule drop in the bucket compared to commercial airplanes. of Course, a problem is that a lot of people fly regularly AND are wasteful with plastic. But for those who are making a conscious effort to be more environmentally friendly...you often focus on the wrong, wrong things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Toys for Tots. Plastic shipped from China. Given to kids who already have more toys than I had growing up in the 60s. I did not feel that anything was missing. I had a fun childhood.

Wait you think donating toys to homeless children is wasteful?

Because they don't need them. My kids don't need them either. If you must give toys, give USED toys...yes USED.

[Anonymous]

In case you were wondering, here is the sweaters end up:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10190155/The-fast-fashion-waste-mountain-Gigantic-pile-clothes-looms-desert-Chile.html

[Anonymous]

Holiday cards. So much paper straight into the trash not to mention carbon emissions due to delivery. Send an email!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Japanese wrapping cloth is called furoshiki and there are many methods of wrapping — just google or search on YouTube.

I just use pretty handkerchiefs, scarves, old playsilks, and some larger furoshiki that I actually bought in Japan. I’ve used pillowcases and just tied the top like a bag. We never use paper gift wrap for gifts within the household. I usually just tie it or wrap it somewhat haphazardly— quick and still looks passable IMO.

Clean up is super easy and no waste!

I salute your environmentalism but can’t imagine that this looks good. Do you really show up at a party with a hostess gift “wrapped” in an old pillowcase? I wish I had your moxie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just walk in to any Home Goods…to me it’s crushing. All the plastic. All the trend decor, only to be replaced 6 months later. New throw pillows, new vases, new wreaths, wall art…

This. There is is much junk at the holidays — oddity mugs you get at white elephants, foam decorations that last a year or two, plastic trinkets in advent calendars…

I’m traveling with my family this year and while we’ll be doing gifts (and, obviously, flying…) I’ve basically opted out of the rest of the holiday season. It makes me realize just how much disposable stuff we normally get as part of the season.

(And, yes, I’m not saying we’re doing anything right. It’s just what I’ve noticed this year, in a year we’re kind of ‘skipping’ all but Christmas Day itself.

+2
All the seasonal decor in general is just wasteful, plastic crap. I cringe every season watching the changeover at Target, Michaels, Home Goods, Five Below, Dollar Tree etc. (So much of what is in these stores is just generally unnecessary plastic awfulness.)

I love reusable gift bags. Most of mine have been gifted to me. I bought a bunch 15 years ago for Christmas gifts that are still in use. The wrapping paper we do use is recycled.
Greeting cards for birthdays, anniversaries, valentines day, mother's day, father's day, etc. So expensive ($5) and just goes into the recycle bin. There is a time and place for a heartfelt note, but it doesn't need to be a glittery, pre-made card.
Obligation gifts. Gift baskets. Please don't give me general knick-knacks or decor or candles or whatever. And don't be annoyed that I didn't get you something when I don't know you well.

Will you please go over to the thread started by the woman who is addicted to Christmas decor and slap her upside the head? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

My current pet peeve at the grocery store is the salad kits that involve so much plastic - the main plastic bag, and 3-4 little bags for whatever toppings are included. There's almost more plastic than salad. (But it's convenient, I guess.)

[Anonymous]

Can someone explain to me like I'm 5 how much better for the environment cloth wrapping is?

I can see if you are already reusing something you might throw away, or something from the thrift, that either you will reuse (people give it back to you) or that you are certain they will reuse.

But certainly purchasing new cloth or not being certain it would be reused isn't better than paper. Especially if the cloth is cotton ("thirsty crop")?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My current pet peeve at the grocery store is the salad kits that involve so much plastic - the main plastic bag, and 3-4 little bags for whatever toppings are included. There's almost more plastic than salad. (But it's convenient, I guess.)

I don't need salad that badly.

[Anonymous]

We don’t need to be worrying about ugly Christmas sweaters. We need to be working to eliminate fast fashion.