Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This page may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. There is no additional cost to you whatsoever.
Happy Hanukkah! Running from December 18 to December 26 this 12 months (2022), Hanukkah is a vacation rooted in conservation — think about {that a} one-day provide of oil lasted a miraculous eight days. You can stretch your sources simply as far by protecting these eight suggestions in thoughts for an eco-friendly celebration.
1. Burn clear candles
Instead of candles made from petroleum-based paraffin wax, search for ones that use beeswax, soy, or coconut.
2. Give items which might be experiences
The presents can actually pile up when you have got eight days of gift-giving. Instead of including extra stuff to your life, give experience-based items like a cooking class or tickets to a sporting occasion. If your youngsters obtain quite a lot of toys, have them select one outdated toy to donate for every new one they get.
3. Reuse reward wrap
Speaking of presents, the wrapping paper can actually add up, too. Get artistic by wrapping your gifts in reusable luggage or different issues you have got round the home. Then save all of the reward luggage from this 12 months to make use of for subsequent 12 months. If you do purchase new reward wrap, select a form that’s recyclable.
4. Make simply the correct quantity of meals
Leftovers may be nice, however don’t cook dinner a lot that it finally ends up going to waste. You can determine simply what you might want to make by utilizing this waste-free dinner calculator.
5. Dispose of oil correctly
Ah, latkes. Those little potato pancakes go hand in hand with Hanukkah. When you’re performed frying them in oil, don’t pour it down the drain! Here’s what to do as a substitute.
6. Serve your meals on reusable dishes
It might sound simpler to purchase some paper plates and plastic utensils for those who’re internet hosting a giant shindig, however utilizing actual plates and forks is the higher alternative.
7. Buy truthful commerce chocolate
Chocolate gelt — chocolate “cash” wrapped in gold and silver — is a enjoyable custom, however mass-produced chocolate does no favors for the atmosphere. Look for fair-trade, ethically sourced options as a substitute.
8. Avoid low-cost plastic equipment
Instead of shopping for little plastic dreidels and disposable menorahs, go for high-quality, handmade objects. The up-front price is likely to be larger, however the environmental footprint, particularly if the objects are handed down via the generations, is way decrease.
Originally printed on December 12, 2017, this text was up to date in November 2022.