Blogmas | Boxing Day and How We Can Be Sustainable Consumers
It is generally agreed upon by historians that Boxing Day started as an altruistic day, where the privileged did good deeds for others. Whether it was clergy members who distributed money in boxes to the homeless or lords putting small gifts for their staff, it was vastly different from what our society today embraces. From acts of kindness derived from the holiday spirit to a mass frenzy of consumerism, this evolution is sad to say the least.
Once rooted in generosity, Boxing Day has transformed into a consumerist phenomenon, marked by dramatic sales and the fear of missing out, often leading to overspending and waste. According to an article from the BBC in 2023, “consumers are forecast to spend £3.7bn on Boxing Day,” which points to the massive economic impacts that Boxing Day makes. Sure, it is absolutely true that Boxing Day contributes to the economy; however, this shift from generosity to consumerism comes at a cost – not just to wallets but to the environment. Household waste increases significantly during the holidays, with purchases often leading to excessive packaging and landfill overflow.
Does turning off lights truly make a difference when the environmental damage of Boxing Day shopping far outweighs these small efforts? When people click to buy everything in their shopping carts, without proper consideration of 1) whether it is a necessity, and 2) whether it will be enjoyed or used long-term? Gifts and other purchased items often make up the majority of waste during the holidays. ABC News reports that “household waste increases by more than 25% from Thanksgiving to New Year’s” through the consumption during the holidays but also the waste created from that. When people give gifts, it is often embellished with wrapping paper, plastic bows, and general packaging actively contributing “an additional 1 million tons of trash entering landfills each week during that time frame.” This holiday season, perhaps it’s time to reconsider what truly embodies the spirit of Boxing Day – not consumerism, but compassion.
It can be difficult to change societal attitudes on consumerism and Boxing Day; however, there are three things you can do to be more sustainable.
- Reassess Your Purchases
Before buying, make a list of potential purchases and spend time considering if they’re truly worth your money and will be used in the long term. Don’t decide in a single day—take a couple of weeks. This deliberate approach reduces impulse buys and prevents unnecessary waste from items that are ultimately discarded. Breaking the cycle of consumerism starts with buying only what you truly need.
- Give Back
Secondly, you can return to the roots of Boxing Day. If you have items that you no longer need or gifts won’t use, donate them. There are many charities in local neighbourhoods that accept both new and old items, such as the Union Gospel Mission and the Salvation Army. If you know you have these items, do not throw them in the trash and buy into the trend of consumption; do the right thing because it can help impoverished communities have a lovely holiday but also decrease the impact on the environment.
- Reuse and Repurpose
Finally, being conscious of your individual actions during the holiday season is very important. If you receive gifts in gift bags, reuse those and any stuffing paper they come with. Have a nice bow? Add that as a spark to your gifts. Reusing these packaging materials will significantly decrease the amount of waste that is produced during the holiday season.
This holiday season, let’s strive to honor the essence of Boxing Day by practicing compassion and sustainability. From all of us at the ECF Team, have a wonderful holiday season and a joyous New Year!
Works Cited
Edser, Nick. “Boxing Day Sales: Spending Predicted to Fall.” BBC News, 26 Dec. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/business-67821795.
Klein, Christopher. “Why Is the Day after Christmas Called Boxing Day?” HISTORY, 20 Dec. 2016, www.history.com/news/why-is-the-day-after-christmas-called-boxing-day.
News, A. B. C. “Hidden Ways the Holidays Harm the Environment and How You Can Reduce the Waste.” ABC News, 23 Nov. 2022, abcnews.go.com/Technology/hidden-ways-holidays-harm-environment-reduce-waste/story?id=93487258.
Image Credits:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boxing_Day_madness_2010.jpg, Erica Basnicki
