5 ways to go green for the festive season

The holidays are right around the corner. You may be planning a festive team celebration or selecting a company-wide gift to boost morale. While planning, you might be thinking about your company’s sustainability goals. Looking for green alternatives? We’ve listed a few things to keep your waste in check and keep the festivities sustainable.

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 or a virtual cooking class. Or you could plan fun events like cocktail-making lessons or virtual escape rooms. You could also make a donation in an employee’s name to a non-profit 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 trips or order meals from their favourite local restaurants. And if you aren’t sure, why not run a company-wide poll to see what employees would like to receive as a holiday gift?

Selecting gifts or services from businesses near your office or close to where your employees are working from is a great way to support a sustainable celebration. Your purchases will contribute to the local economy and help prevent extended delivery periods, which could reduce your carbon footprint. If you’re not located in the country where your employees are based, why not reach out to a team member on the ground and ask for local advice for local businesses to order from?

If your team will be exchanging gifts in-person or if you’ll be sending physical packages, consider wrapping with sustainable or reusable items to avoid extra waste. A variety of online services around the world 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 this year, 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.