Austin Urges 'Zero Waste' Shopping This Holiday Season

AUSTIN, TX — With the season of gift-giving upon us, Austin Resource Recovery is launching the 2020 ‘Give A Great Story’ holiday campaign to encourage Austin residents to rethink gifting this holiday season by shopping zero waste.

Austin Resource Recovery, a City of Austin department, suggests that instead of buying the newest gadget or toy (which may end up in the landfill), Austin residents should consider spending time with friends and family in new ways, learning a new skill online with your loved ones or giving a pre-loved gift this year.

"Not only does repair, thrift and experience-gifting bring us closer together, it helps Austin towards its Zero Waste Goal, by reframing the way we buy, use and dispose of everyday items. A 2017 study found that five billion pounds of returned retail gifts ended up in landfills," officials wrote in an advisory.

If residents 'Give A Great Story’ this year, they can help reduce the number of unwanted gifts by offering experiences, purchasing used or thrifted gifts, or by repairing already loved items, officials said. Giving zero waste gifts over newly purchased or produced items also benefits the local economy, keeps valuable items out of the landfill, and avoids spending the energy and resources required to manufacture new products. Zero waste gift ideas include:

• Purchase an online, skill-development class (cooking, music lessons, painting);
• support Austin’s art scene virtually (online theater performances, art galleries/exhibits, concerts);
• turn a teacup or basket from a local thrift store into a planter; or
• re-sole and polish a favorite pair of boots.

Austin residents also can reduce holiday waste by:

• Reusing materials like newspaper, posters, maps or fabric to wrap gifts;
• sending e-cards instead of mailing paper holiday cards; or
• using and washing reusable tableware instead of single-use disposable options for holiday meals.

Find more zero waste gifts ideas at the Shop Zero Waste page of the City of Austin website. Follow on Facebook @AustinRecycles.