Simple Tips to a Sustainable Holiday!
 
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Simple Tips to a Sustainable Holiday!


posted: December 3, 2019

How easy it is to become wrapped up in the holiday madness, finding ourselves ripping apart box after box and bag after bag, jamming it all into our recycling bins, wondering if half of it is recyclable anyway? Being sustainable is no easy chore. However, offering SIP Certified wines to our customers is definitely a step in the right direction! This month, we would like to offer a few tips on ways to incorporate sustainable practices in your tasting room during the holiday season:

  • Use biodegradable plates, bowls, and cutlery for your holiday open houses and events. Bamboo, sugarcane, and plant fibers are available options and can easily be purchased in bulk online. Styles are cute, earthy, and compostable. If you are using a caterer, ask that they use these products instead of traditional plastics.  
  • Encourage your customers to buy sustainable gifts by inviting local vendors into your retail space. Find vendors using natural or recyclable materials. Our area is rich with creative makers whose products can enhance wine purchases and create one-stop shopping! 
  • Consider using a living Christmas Tree in your tasting room. These can be set outside during the remainder of the year, and be used for multiple years before being planted on your property. Although an artificial tree will last you through many seasons, eventually it will end up in landfill, where the plastic content will make them last forever. 
  • Use LED lights when decorating your tasting room. LED holiday lights use .04 watts per bulb, 10 times less than mini bulbs and 100 times less than traditional holiday bulbs. Over a 30-day period, lighting 500 traditional holiday lights will cost you about $18.00 while the same number of LED lights costs only $0.19. As an added bonus, if one of the LED lights burns out the rest of the strand will stay lit.
  • Use environmentally friendly wrapping paper for gift packaging. Using hemp paper or other natural recyclable products is a great alternative to glossy or metallic papers. Use twine as opposed to ribbon, and avoid excessive use of tape. 
  • Encourage your customers to recycle wine boxes, especially two-three- and six bottle carry outs. These typically last for many loads to and from the house and car. Perhaps you can offer $1.00 off when returning the box! This price offsets the cost of a new one, as well as the storage and delivery fees associated with carry-outs. 

There are many resources available online to a sustainable season. We encourage you to continue your commitment to a better planet throughout the holidays and in years to come!