What are your sustainability goals for 2024? Here are some easy, local ways to be greener

New year, new sustainability goals.

Greening up goals for the coming year will make an impact beyond 2024. From quick wins to personal actions, a lot can be done around our own homes and in our lives to make an impact. And for those cleaning up after the holidays, you can begin right now with local and planet-friendly solutions.

Tree recycling (or “treecycling”) is an environmentally friendly way to clean up after the holidays. Unflocked trees can be dropped off at Pierce County transfer stations or in yard waste bins. Remove the tree stand, tinsel, and all decorations prior to recycling and trim branches and the trunk so that the tree fits inside of your yard waste bin.

The local transfer stations are the Purdy Transfer Station and Key Center Drop Box Station (note that Olalla Recycling and Garbage does not recycle trees; they are only accepted as garbage).

Flocked trees are much trickier to dispose of as it’s often difficult to tell what flocking material is made of. When Christmas trees are recycled, they are chipped down to mulch or composted. In the case of flocked trees, many recyclers don’t want to risk adding harmful chemicals to their soil and mulch products.

For flocked tree recycling, Darrel Emel’s Tree Service in Silverdale accepts trees until Feb. 7. Troop 1529 offers pick-up service to Port Orchard, McCormick Woods, and some areas north of Mullenix for $15 per tree. Visit troop1529.neocities.org/Christmastree for more information. Wreath Works in Port Orchard accepts flocked trees until Jan. 15.

Alternatively, making mulch or creating habitat in your own backyard is also a great option.

Wreaths and garlands can also be recycled. Remove any bows or ribbon, then separate the natural greenery from the florist wire or frame. Wreath frames can be reused in future years for a DIY wreath.

Be sure to gently pack away artificial trees for reuse – they should be kept for at least 10 years to have the same carbon utilization impact that purchasing a real tree would have. Alternatively, artificial trees can be donated or given away for free on a local “Buy Nothing” group (there are several for different areas of Gig Harbor) to extend their life.

Reuse, recycle, and drop off holiday lights and gift wrap. Plain gift wrap and boxes, catalogs, and holiday cards plus envelopes can all be recycled. Fancier wrapping paper (think foil and glitter) cannot be recycled. Tissue paper is also non-recyclable. Decorated gift bags, bows, and ribbons should either be reused or donated.

If holidays lights are at the end of their lifespan and fixing them isn’t an option, don’t throw them in the trash. Light strings contain materials that can be harmful to the environment, including plastic, glass, copper, and even lead. Head to Tacoma and drop off lights at Calbag Metals, McClendon Hardware, Recycling Resources, or the Tacoma Recovery and Transfer Center where they will be recycled properly.

New Year’s resolutions to be more sustainable

The city of Gig Harbor adopted their Climate Action Plan (CAP) this past fall to serve as a framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The CAP listed several quick wins, items that can be accomplished in the next four years or are already in motion. These items are of course at a city-scale, but a similar concept can be applied to personal New Year’s goals.

Switching to LED light bulbs is an easy, quick win to reduce a home’s energy footprint. On average, lighting (especially in winter months) makes up 9% of a typical home’s energy use.

Continue the momentum by swapping paper towels for cotton dish towels and Swedish dish cloths, and using reusable beeswax wrap instead of plastic cling wrap. Or try going paperless in the New Year and send bills directly to your email inbox instead of your mailbox.

For those wanting to go beyond quick wins to create a sustainable framework for the entire year, personal actions and sustainability resources are a great place to start. One idea is eating less meat.

According to the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organization, the U.S. livestock sector contributes 14.5% of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. Beef and cattle milk production amount for a majority of this (40% and 20% respectively) and feed production and processing also play a large role. Meatless Mondays, leaning into smaller portion sizes of meat, and swapping a different protein source in (like legumes) can make an impact.

Apps are also helpful for tracking impact. Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch makes it easy to check labels to make sustainable choices when sourcing fish and other seafood. It’s also possible to track personal carbon footprints and reduce local food waste. Local bagel spot B’s Bagels and Gig Harbor’s Metropolitan Market both participate in Too Good To Go, an app that connects locals with food surplus so it doesn’t go to waste (thanks for making a difference!).

Regardless of the sustainability goals we choose, prioritizing greener options will always be a win for the planet. Together, we can make an impact.

Carly Vester has been writing an environmental column for The Peninsula Gateway since 2019. Her storytelling focuses on the intersection of people and the outdoors — from adventures across the west, to our environment and the rich history surrounding it. Her documentary films have screened internationally and her writing has been published locally and regionally.

This story was originally published January 2, 2024 at 5:30 AM with the headline "What are your sustainability goals for 2024? Here are some easy, local ways to be greener."