Make the holidays merry, bright and green!
With a few simple changes, we can enjoy the season while helping the environment.
Environment | December 23, 2025
The holidays are a fun and busy time, but they are also a great reminder to think about the environment as we celebrate with family and friends. During this time, there tends to be a lot of waste that happens – food scraps, gift wrap, plastic packaging and cards often end up in the landfill.
Here are a few useful tips that can help make your holiday a little more green, eco‑friendly and sustainable!
Smart ways to give
Send eCards instead of mailed cards
While the sentiment might be nice with sending cards through the mail, sending eCards can be a better option for the recipient and the environment!
Limit your packaging and paper waste
Everyone loves to unwrap a beautiful gift but not all packaging is recyclable. Consider using gift bags and boxes as a reusable option. Skip the plastic bows, and user paper decorations instead. Remember to sort your waste properly when disposing of our packaging and papers.
Buy less stuff
Instead of gifting items, consider gifting a fun experience. That way you can enjoy time with your loved ones and reduce potential waste. It’s a great opportunity to spend quality time with our loves ones. There’s lot to see and do in Mississauga. Grab tickets to a sporting event, a recreation membership, check out the Living Arts Centre or go grab a bite at a local Mississauga restaurant.
Check out the top things to see and do in Mississauga.
Choose environmentally-friendly items
Where possible, opt for items that have less impact on the environment such as candles made from natural alternatives like beeswax or soy.
Re‑gift or make your own gifts
If you have new items you won’t use, pass them along. You can also make gifts from recycled or eco‑friendly materials.
Reduce waste
Reduce your food footprint
Consider making small and simple changes like eating more fresh produce and fewer animal products, buying local and overall decreasing your food waste to help reduce your personal greenhouse gas emissions. Canadian families throw out 25 to 45 per cent more garbage around the holidays, with a majority of that being food waste. So let’s get creative and use up leftovers and food scraps to make exciting and new meals. Bring along reusable containers to your next holiday gathering and pack up those leftovers!
Check out the National Zero Waste Council’s food waste website to get some ideas on cooking with food scraps.
Buy local
Buy gifts from stores that are located near you. You can pick up these items in-store, instead of getting them shipped from further away. This will help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with these gifts.
Sort your holiday waste properly
Remember, not all packing materials can be recycled. If you find you have a lot of holiday waste to sort through, visit Circular Materials to help you figure out where items should go – like plastic packaging.
Holiday food tips
Add more plant‑based foods
Compared to dishes with meat and dairy, plant-based foods have a much smaller carbon footprint. This year, consider adding plant-based food options to your celebrations. By skipping eating meat for one day a week, you can reduce your annual carbon footprint as much as not driving your car for a whole month.
Get creative with leftovers
Turn vegetables into soups, or try new recipes using a cookbook, a digital resource or an online class.
Cut down on energy use
Use energy-saving LED lights bulbs
Add extra glow and glimmer to your holidays by switching out incandescent lights bulbs to LED bulbs. When purchasing holiday lights, look for the Energy Star label. These lights are at least 75 per cent more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and lasts up to 10 times longer, meaning fewer replacements.
Wait until it is dark to turn on your lights
Turn on your indoor and outdoor lights when it’s dark and save energy during the daylight hours. Depending on your electricity rate plan, you can also save money by shifting your use to lower rate times.
Set up smart switches for electrical devices
Install smart switches you can program through your smartphone or other smart device to operate them remotely. That way, even if you forget, you can simply turn them off remotely from your phone.
Consider turning down the heat
Consider turning down the thermostat 1.5 degrees to reduce energy emissions by as much as five per cent. Not only does it help with fighting climate change, it also helps lower your hydro bill. Installing a smart thermostat is an easy alternative that offers a variety of financial and environmental benefits. You will be able to pre-set temperature schedules to adjust the temperature in your home to turn on only when you need it. This can help you maximize energy savings and reduce your carbon footprint. You can install a smart thermostat in your home at any time, on your own, or with the help of a contractor.
Travel smarter
Take transit
MiWay has several routes and connections to get to your destination safely, conveniently and affordably. Visit miway.ca for schedules and details.
Carpool or take a ride share
Whether you’re heading to a party or visiting family, sharing a ride helps cut emissions.
Walk or bike
When the weather is pleasant and conditions allow, think about incorporating walking or biking into your routine. Not only is it a great way to stay active, but it also allows you to enjoy the fresh air and nature around you.
Give back
Volunteer
Helping at a local non-profit or food bank is a meaningful way to support the community. Visit the City’s Volunteer webpage to search and apply for volunteer opportunities available in City-led programs.
Donate
This holiday season you can make difference by donating to Food Banks Mississauga during their Holiday Drive. Donate funds or food items, so that families across Mississauga can spend the holidays making memories around the table, instead of worrying where their next meal is coming from.
You can also donate gently used winter clothing to help someone say cozy this season like coats, scarves, hats and mittens.
Other things to consider
Recycle your Christmas tree
Once the season ends, you can recycle your tree through the Peel Region’s waste pickup services.
You can also take it a step further and donate to forestry or parks to help plant native trees or shrubs throughout the city. Donations start from $10 and if you donate $20 or more, you’ll receive a tax receipt.
Climate change actions in Mississauga
The City is working to tackle climate change through actions from the Climate Change Action Plan. The plan outlines actions for the City and community to reduce Mississauga’s greenhouse gas emissions.
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