The holiday season is a wonderful time to come together, and what better way to celebrate than by protecting our waterways from pollution as a family?
This year, set a zero-waste goal for the holidays and make it a shared mission: reduce waste, recycle, and make eco-friendly choices. Each day of our “12 Days of Stormwater Prevention” brings a simple, green activity you can do together.
Whether it’s choosing reusable options, crafting sustainable decorations, or contributing to the community, each step counts toward cleaner water and a brighter future for everyone. Gather the family and enjoy each day as a small, positive step toward preserving our environment for seasons to come.
Here are some eco-friendly practices to start the month off right:
- Day 1: Sleigh the Plastic Bag. Prevent plastic waste from entering storm drains—refuse single-use bags while holiday shopping and opt for reusable bags.
- Day 2: Wrap Sustainably. Reuse gift bags and tissue paper and opt for biodegradable or recycled wrapping to reduce waste.
- Day 3: Deck the Halls with Natural Décor. Minimize waste sent to landfills by reusing holiday decorations or create new ones using natural materials.
- Day 4: Recycle Holiday Cheer. Turn old cards into gift tags or ornaments to reduce paper waste.
- Day 5: Give the Gift of Donation. Donate gently used items to local charitable organizations.
- Day 6: This the Season to Give Back Together! Participate in local coastal and river cleanups to help keep our waters beautiful.
- Day 7: Wash Your Car Sustainably. Wash your car responsibly! Opt for eco-friendly car wash facilities that save water and reduce harmful runoff.
- Day 8: Reuse Holiday Containers. Transform old containers into planters.
- Day 9: Shine with Energy Efficiency. Reduce your energy consumption and minimize pollution by replacing your holiday lights with LEDs.
- Day 10: Go Digital this Holiday. Ditch the paper and switch to digital invitations, cards, and newsletters.
- Day 11: Winterize Your Stormwater-Friendly Yard. Inspect and maintain your rain barrels, yard drainage, and native vegetation to prevent stormwater pollution.
- Day 12: Give Your Tree a Second Life. Support stormwater management and wildlife habitats by recycling your holiday tree to create mulch or compost, or to help control erosion.
Make it a fun challenge for everyone—each day brings you closer to your zero-waste goal, and together you’ll create a more sustainable season and make memories that will last a lifetime.