Give back to the planet this Holiday Season!

Earth Rangers, you’ve already been making a difference by diving deeper than the classic Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Through your participation in missions like I Can Fix It, Food Waste Warrior, and R.A.W.R., you’ve explored powerful actions like Repair, Rethink, Refuse, and Regift. Together, you’re helping build a more sustainable future across the Great Lakes region and that’s something to be proud of!

As the holidays approach, it’s more important than ever to keep up these powerful habits. Did you know that between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, the average American family creates 25% more waste than they do the rest of the year? This surge in trash includes plastic litter, food waste, and e-waste, all of which can seriously harm the Great Lakes by polluting ecosystems and endangering the wildlife that depends on them.

In fact, holiday waste contributes to the more than 20 MILLION pounds of litter that end up in these vital waterways each year. Yikes!

What can I do to help?

There are a TON of ways to REthink some of your Holiday habits this year to reduce waste and make the most of what you already have!

A great place to start is with sustainable gifting. Try thrifting a unique item to give it a second life, or repair and regift something you own but no longer use. Better yet, skip the wrapping paper and use reusable materials like tote bags, tins, or even fabric items like scarves and tea towels to wrap your gifts. If it can be used again, it’s a win for the planet!

Need more ideas? Check out the I Can Fix IT Mission in the App for tips on repairs and how to give gifts that are both meaningful and sustainable!

You can also make a big impact by cutting down on food waste from your holiday meals. Got leftover turkey? Turn it into sandwiches or use the bones to make a soup broth! If you have more food than you can eat, store it in reusable containers to freeze for later or share it with friends and neighbors. Every little bit helps!

Instead of letting your holiday feast end up in the landfill, check out the Food Waste Warrior Mission for more smart tips on reducing food waste. And don’t forget: anything you can’t eat should go in your organic waste bin, not the garbage!

We know creating zero waste during the holidays can be tough, but every small action counts! You can still make a big difference by making sure any waste you do create is disposed of properly to help protect local wildlife. Rinse out food containers, secure lids tightly, and double-check your local recycling guidelines by visiting your municipality’s website as recycling rules can vary!

Want to learn more? The R.A.W.R. Mission in the App has great tips on how to recycle holiday waste the right way and keep animals safe while you’re at it!

What happens when I complete a Mission?

Choose your favorite of these three missions, or complete them all this Holiday season to unlock a cool digital bonus item in the App! What is it? You’ll have to finish a mission to find out!