Metro Vancouver wants you to create less waste this holiday season.
For almost a decade Metro’s annual Create Memories, Not Garbage campaign has promoted experience-based, low-waste gift and decorating ideas so that fewer pieces of packaging and unwanted gifts end up being thrown away.
“Celebrating sustainably doesn’t mean the season has to lose its holiday spirit,” said Jack Froese, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Committee. “By doing just one thing differently, we can create less waste. Choose gifts that are made of sustainable material and will last a long time, or opt for giving experiences that will be enjoyed beyond the holiday. When wrapping gifts try using reusable materials like fabric or gift bags, newspaper, or old calendars instead of single-use wrap.”
Metro Vancouver also has the Merry Memory Maker, an online catalogue that features over 170 creative low-waste gift ideas by price range. The app has been updated this year to include more gift ideas, a directory of where to find each item, and the ability to save favourites to a wish list for later.
“Along with reducing waste this holiday season, we’re encouraging people to consider celebrating in ways that don’t involve plastic or packaging at all,” added Froese. “For most people, their cherished holiday memories are not of plastic and tinsel, but of the experiences shared with friends and family or long-lasting gifts that stay in use for years to come.”
