{"id":63517,"date":"2025-12-17T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T02:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/?p=63517"},"modified":"2025-12-18T10:57:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T02:57:43","slug":"5-ways-to-disinvite-plastic-from-your-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/story\/63517\/5-ways-to-disinvite-plastic-from-your-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"5 ways to disinvite plastic from your holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The holidays are here again. \u2018Tis the season to hang out with (or just tolerate) family and friends, share (and maybe overindulge in) tasty meals, and enjoy festivities (or stay cozy and binge your comfort show). But no matter how you celebrate, the pressure to consume can be extreme. Capitalism\u2019s overconsumption machine can make us think that we need to buy everything<\/em> during the holidays, but as corporations pump out 430 million tonnes of plastic globally, plastic doesn\u2019t need to get the invite to the big holiday party this year. Dodging certain holiday offerings and embracing some new anti-consumption traditions can be small but mighty acts of resistance against capitalism. <\/p>\n\n

Global plastic reduction is the best gift<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Plastic is everywhere, <\/strong>and at this time of year it\u2019s hiding in plain sight at your holiday gatherings. Plastic packaging is the most obvious major source of waste; however, a closer look at what many decorations and gifts are made of reveals all the other ways plastic creeps into our homes. It is in clothing, bags, bedding, childrens\u2019 toys<\/a>, holiday figurines, electronics, sports equipment, stuffed animals, cosmetics, kitchenware, furniture, the stir stick in your cocktail or mocktail \u2014 the list goes on. <\/p>\n\n

Why does this matter? Because plastic pollutes air, water, nature and our bodies, across its entire lifecycle. And it\u2019s causing widespread and devastating harm. Plastic isn\u2019t only a waste and pollution issue, it has morphed into a grave public health concern. The more plastic the industry produces, the more we\u2019re pressured to consume, and the more pollution people and the planet are exposed to. <\/p>\n\n

\"Action
With three \u201cgifts\u201d \u2013 a 1.50m cube of compressed plastic waste, a toxic barrel and a greasy combustion engine, each with a red ribbon \u2013 five Greenpeace activists demonstrated in front of the Federal Chancellery against the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement. A sign with the words \u201cTO: Lula \/ FROM: Scholz\u201d hung above the gifts. Brazil\u2019s President Lula da Silva was visit Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin at the time.\u00a9 Chris Grodotzki \/ Greenpeace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

The season of giving doesn\u2019t have to be giving plastic disaster. We\u2019re here to share 5 <\/strong>ways to beat those consumption blues.<\/p>\n\n

Normalise \u2018new-to-you\u2019 over brand new gifts.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

It\u2019s never been easier to find pre-loved items in our communities. From thrift shops to antique stores, clothing swaps to flea markets, and numerous online platforms, most gift ideas you have can be found used with a bit of time and resourcefulness. Dodging big corps whenever possible isn\u2019t only satisfying, it\u2019s a win for your wallet and the planet.\u00a0According to Earth Overshoot Day and its partners,<\/a>\u00a0by July 24th, 2025 humanity was using nature about 1.8 times faster than the Earth\u2019s ecosystems are able to regenerate, so reducing demand for new materials is part of our collective consumption reduction equation. If you look at\u00a0the plastic all around you today,<\/a>\u00a0it is set to have\u00a0more than doubled in the next 25 years.<\/a>\u00a0Any signal we can send to big plastic producers and consumer goods companies that plastic isn\u2019t fantastic, can help incentivise them to choose alternatives, and show governments that we support real solutions to the plastic problem.<\/p>\n\n

\"Packaging
Textiles, shoes and plastic packaging waste from SHEIN. SHEIN is a controversial online retailer of fashion and sporting goods from Singapore that operates internationally. SHEIN sells fast fashion that is designed at high speed, manufactured in China and sold at low prices.\u00a9 Jana Kuehle \/ Greenpeace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Choose your containers and cookware with care<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

It\u2019s a lovely time of year for meals out and coffee dates but because non-toxic, reusable containers are not yet ubiquitous, bringing your own plastic-free containers whenever possible will reduce your plastic exposure and footprint. Plastic-lined coffee cups<\/a>, \u201cbioplastic\u201d packaging<\/a> and cutlery, and even take-out containers labeled as reusable<\/a>, present an opportunity for contaminating our food and our bodies with microplastics and chemicals<\/a>. Various kitchenware items in our homes also contain plastic. Large plastic spatulas and spoons, sieves and strainers, cutting boards, storage containers, sippy cups, electric kettles, blenders and Teflon or coated pans  all can contain or are made from plastic. Scientists have begun to uncover how using these types of items contributes to our ingestion of microplastics<\/a> and exposure to potentially toxic chemicals<\/a>. There\u2019s nothing festive about a charcuterie board seasoned with microplastics. <\/p>\n\n

It\u2019s not easy or affordable to do a full kitchen overhaul, but you can start by doing small changes like ditching plastic cutting boards, never heating plastic, and using stainless steel or cast iron instead of coated pots and pans. When hosting, remember reusable is best \u2014 ditch the single-use plates, cups, and cutlery and just use what you have on hand. Crowd source dishware when needed, that\u2019s what friends are for. <\/p>\n\n

\"New
Several coffee chains in Tokyo are currently working on initiatives to promote the reusable cups. Starbucks Coffee Japan is using a container sharing service in some stores and conducting demonstration tests of reusable cups. Onibus Coffee, a local coffee chain in Tokyo, has also developed a unique service that allows customers to use and return cups via a mobile application. As for reducing single-use containers, Greenpeace Japan is calling on Starbucks to roll out its reusable cup system nationwide.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Glitter isn\u2019t glam, your inner sparkle is enough!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Who doesn\u2019t want a little glitz at this time of year? So much of what is extra sparkly and shiny is a combination of plastic and metal, and it\u2019s nothing but a beautiful nightmare. Glitter shows up in craft supplies, gift wrap, decorations, clothing, cosmetics, kids\u2019 toys, costumes, party hats, and  snow globes. Plastic glitter and sequins can easily shed into its surroundings<\/a>, when clothing is being washed or crafts are being cleaned-up, it can shed down the drain, and when combined with paper or other materials, these products ruin recycling potential, sending them to landfill or incineration. And while some may claim to be biodegradable, it\u2019s really not worth the potential pollution risk. <\/p>\n\n

Resist the urge to purge <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Out with the old and in with the new can be a useful mantra when letting go of negative vibes or questionable habits, but when it comes to \u201cstuff\u201d, we all need to resist the temptation to get the newer, trendier, or upgraded item. We live in an era where we\u2019re being given mixed messages about simplifying our lives and our relationship with material things. We\u2019re told to buy more, but also buy better. Wide leg jeans today, skinny jeans tomorrow. But purging in the name of decluttering isn\u2019t an act for the planet. It can also overburden donation organisations. Unless the purge is paired with a commitment to minimalist living, chances are a lot of that stuff will eventually be replaced, increasing the resource burden. Buying a bunch of new stuff can result in a bunch more plastic produced, so try to ponder before you purge and consider what might be reused, refurbished, re-manufactured, revived, refurnished, repurposed, remade, re-gifted, rotated out, rotated in, rearranged, reimagined, and\/or relocated.<\/p>\n\n

\"Resources
The Festival des Ressources \u00e0 Lausanne<\/em> (Resource Festival in Lausanne), organised by Greenpeace Vaud, Greenpeace Switzerland\u2019s regional volunteer group. The event focuses on sustainability, repair, and upcycling, where people bring in items to be fixed by volunteers, learn repair skills, and promote second-hand goods to extend product life and reduce waste, promoting a circular economy.\u00a9 Violaine Martin \/ Greenpeace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Cozy up with a petition to change the world.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Trying to dodge plastic can be exhausting. If you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed, you\u2019re not alone. We can only do so much in this broken plastic-obsessed system. Plastic producers and polluters need to be held accountable, and governments need to act faster to protect the health of people and the planet. The plastic crisis is a global problem demanding a global solution. We urgently need global governments to secure a strong UN Global Plastics Treaty that reduces global production and consumption, ends our reliance on problem plastics and chemicals, and accelerates a justice-centred transition to a reuse-based, zero waste future. Ensure your government doesn\u2019t waste this once-in-a-generation opportunity to end the age of plastic.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n \t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLet\u2019s end the age of plastic!\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

We have a rare chance to turn the tide on plastic. Add your name before the final Global Plastics Treaty talks this August.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t \n Sign Petition\n <\/a>\n \t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\n

Sarah King is a Senior Campaign Strategist for the Plastic Free Future campaign at Greenpeace Canada.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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