How Much Extra Waste Is Created During The Winter Holiday Season?

Every winter, we're inundated with images of Christmas trees, festive decorations and sparkling lights. But what many of us don't realize is that the holiday season also brings a huge amount of extra waste to our planet. From discarded wrapping paper to broken decorations and forgotten meals, it's estimated that up to 25% more waste is generated during the holidays than any other time of year. 

One of the biggest sources of holiday waste comes from packaging and wrapping paper. According to a survey by Statista in 2017, Americans spent over $20 billion on wrapping paper during the holiday season. And while some companies are making strides towards creating more eco-friendly options, much of this paper still ends up in landfills or our oceans due to its plastic coating. 

Another source of extra holiday waste is food waste. During Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, many people tend to overestimate how much food they need, leading to a lot of leftovers being thrown out after the meal is done. In fact, it's estimated that around 40 percent more food is wasted during the holidays compared to other times of year. 

Finally, there's the issue of holiday decorations disposal. Each year millions upon millions of Christmas trees are sold in America alone; most are artificial ones which will never decay or decompose once thrown away. In addition to trees, there are countless strings and strands of lights that get damaged or broken over time—and all these items end up in landfills as well unless they can be recycled properly. 

The winter holidays remind us how giving and generous we can be but it’s important not to forget about our environment when celebrating with family and friends too! With a few simple changes like using reusable containers for leftovers instead of disposable ones or opting for natural materials like cotton or wool when buying wrapping paper – you can help reduce your impact on our planet this holiday season! Consider taking steps now so you can enjoy a greener winter this year!