How your business can go green for the holidays

The holidays are right around the corner. You may be planning a festive team celebration or selecting a company-wide gift to boost morale. However your organisation is planning to celebrate the upcoming holiday season, you can do a variety of things to keep waste in check and have green festivities.

It’s tempting to send gifts that will engage employees and help them celebrate. If you choose to do so, keep packaging minimal and opt for shipping that has a low carbon footprint. Even better, consider delivering gifts from local businesses, which will support the local economy and let employees know that you care.

Instead of sending a gift box, consider sending an experience that your team can enjoy on their own time or together. Maybe it’s a special pottery class, a virtual cooking class or a cocktail-making lesson. You could also make a donation in an employee’s name to a nonprofit organisation of their choosing.

If you’re set on sending a physical gift, remember to give something that employees will actually use. This could be anything from a reusable coffee mug to a gift card or voucher that allows them to request rides or order meals from their favourite local restaurants. And if you aren’t sure, poll employees to see what they would most like to receive as a holiday gift. 

Selecting gifts or services from businesses near your office or close to where your employees are located is a great way to ensure a sustainable celebration. Your purchases will contribute to the local economy and prevent extended shipping periods, which will reduce your carbon footprint. 

If your team will be exchanging gifts or if you’ll be sending physical packages, consider wrapping with sustainable or reusable items to avoid extra waste. A large portion of the trash disposed of during the holidays is packaging. A variety of online services provide recycled and compostable materials for sustainable, beautiful wrapping.

Similarly, if your team is planning to celebrate virtually, be sure that whatever you choose to send as decorations or party supplies is reusable or recyclable. 

No matter how your business chooses to celebrate, let your employees know that you care about them and the environment with sustainable celebrations and gifts. A memorable holiday season is in the bag with Uber for Business products and tips to go green.