How to make your home merry and bright in an environmentally friendly way

Metallic tinsel, glittery ornaments, plastic holly that really stays green forever – they look good on your Christmas tree, holiday table, mantel or front door. They’re not such a good look for the planet when we’re done with them, though. A 2021 analysis by the Center for Biological Diversity found that Americans generate 23 percent more waste during the month of December than in other months of the year.

If old plastic decorations are improperly disposed of, they “can easily break down into these microplastics [that] enter the food chain in the ocean,” said Kate O’Neill, a professor in UC Berkeley’s department of environmental science, policy and management. Microplastics have been found in the human bloodstream and breast milk, the snows of Antarctica and the air we breathe. Researchers are still learning how growing exposure to microplastics affect human fertility, cardiovascular and respiratory health, cancer risk and more.

When it comes to sustainable holiday decorating, less is more. It is possible to decorate without raising one’s electric bill, or using things that won’t last.

READ MORE: How decorative glitter contributes to microplastic pollution

“Our house does not need to look like Santa’s workshop,” said Diana Chirillo of Northville, Michigan. “We go visit places around town to see awesome decor.”

For tips on how you can make your home ready for the holidays in a way that’s more sustainable, we asked experts in environmental science and engineering, as well as our viewers, for their ideas.

Shop your house first

A major principle of sustainability is to avoid waste and pollution by not buying or accumulating more stuff.

“Especially with the holidays, there’s this notion that we need to buy decor, right? And then, next thing you know, you’re maximizing your storage, or you don’t have anywhere to put these things,” said Julie Sousa, a Boston-based DIY influencer.

Morton A. Barlaz, a professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at North Carolina State University, suggested first seeing “if you can decorate with things you already have at the house and try not to buy anything. Maybe you can use, or reuse, things.”

To John Ferver of Sacramento, California, the items he’s had for a long time only help make the holiday brighter – even if they are showing some patina.

“My holiday table runners and table clothes are very well worn with wax dripping and spilled drinks. So many great memories of holidays past,” Ferver wrote.

Be choosy

Once you have done an inventory of what is reusable and you still find that you want to get something else to decorate (or you’re starting from scratch), make a plan first. Like shopping for groceries, sticking to a list can save you money by helping you avoid impulse purchases.

“Maybe it’s a new place that you’re living – house, apartment, whatever – you don’t have anything,” Barlaz said. “Buy things that are durable, that are going to last for many years.”

WATCH: As porch piracy grows, how to keep your package deliveries safe this holiday season

He stressed getting items that you know you’re going to be comfortable using four or five years in a row or more, “as opposed to buying something that’s likely to break after a year.”

If you’re going to make a purchase, consider supporting a small business near you that might have handcrafted options.

O’Neill says she’s bought decorations made out of recycled wire and she’s also seen ones made from recycled plastic. “They can be very pretty and a good gift for anyone who wants to be ecologically sound,” she added.

In terms of materials, O’Neill noted it’s better to avoid plastic. “There’s something rather beautiful” about wood, aluminum and tin, she said. But if you really want to use plastic decor, avoid anything that you’d only use one time.

You can search your local thrift store or online resellers for vintage and previously owned items, too. Reusing ornaments or cutting back on decor helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, according to the EPA. The agency estimates that 30 percent of U.S. emissions from burning fossil fuels come from the industry sector, which produces the everyday goods and materials people use.

READ MORE: How to slash emissions across the U.S. economy, according to experts

“From a style standpoint, I love that vintage items will give you something unique. Plus there’s the thrill of the hunt when you score something for a steal,” wrote Stephanie Dolan of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Dolan noted that when she’s looking online for clear raindrop ornaments, choosing vintage can cost her either a little more money or a little more time than going straight to a major retailer. But, she said, “if I can get something that’s good quality and also lessens my environmental footprint, I think it’s worth the extra cost.”

Light up

When adding lights to your home or Christmas tree, LED lights are the best choice. According to the Department of Energy, LEDs used in residential settings use at least 75 percent less energy, and can last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent lighting.

If you have holiday lights in good working order that you’re ready to part with, check with your local thrift store to see if they can be donated, and avoid throwing them away.

Get crafty

Sousa uses everyday items to create holiday decor for her home. She likes to pull reusable materials out of her recycling, like shipping boxes. “[I’ve been] using a lot of cardboard materials, typically I’ve tried to avoid plastic,” she said.

If you’re looking for some simpler, low-cost projects, here are some classic ideas that we gathered from readers like you:

• “I had some oranges and lemons which had gotten old and hard so I’ve made some garlands (for indoors) from the oranges and lemons and cinnamon sticks and recycled string, by thinly slicing the fruits into discs, drying them on low heat in the oven, then stringing them into a row interspersed with cinnamon sticks. Made the house smell nice, too!” –Emily Pegues, Warrenton, Va.
• “Frozen outdoor ‘ornaments’. No cash or buying needed. Fill small (freezer-proof) round container with tap water. Usually a half inch layer of water will do, but play with several depths. I have used Jell-o molds, bundt pans and round pie dishes. Take it outside and place somewhere flat. Add any kind of nuts, seeds, foliage or berries, arranged to your liking. I use left over fruit or cranberries, and acorns and bits of greenery like holly leaves, or pine sprigs, small found stones or twigs, etc. Possibilities are endless. Add a tied loop of twine so it is only partly submerged. Leave overnight or several hours (out of sunlight) to freeze solid. When solid, turn it upside down and encourage it to come out in 1 piece. Now hang your beautiful creation on the nearest tree or shepherd’s hook and enjoy it.” –Lori Jarema, Sicklerville, N.J.
• “[Use] brown grocery bags to wrap presents – but decorate them using cut-outs from old Xmas cards.” –Diana Chirillo

Others mentioned cutting fresh spruce branches and berries like bittersweet to make your own arrangements, recycling your used paper and shaping the pulp into ornaments using cookie cutters, or investing time in creating traditional or heirloom crafts that will endure. Some cultures have a tradition of making paper ornaments that can be filled with holiday treats.

WATCH: What to do with all of your holiday trash

And once the holiday season comes to a close, check your town or city’s public works department for what decor or other holiday products can be recycled. It’s key to follow local guidelines, as certain facilities only accept certain materials.