Reducing Waste this Holiday Season

The year is almost over, and that means it's time for yet another Holiday season of gift-giving, party-throwing, and long-distance travel. In these days of celebration and fun, it is easy to overlook the negative consequences of our holiday traditions.

In 2022, the average American consumer will spend about $1,000 on Christmas presents and other holiday necessities. On top of that, in the time between Thanksgiving and New Years Day, Americans on average throw away 25% more trash. This comes out to almost 3 billion extra pounds of garbage each week for the last 5 or 6 weeks of the year! Not to mention, over the same time span, the average American's carbon footprint increases by an extra 1,400 lbs of CO2.

What Can We Do?

As we enter that time of booming business and excessive waste production, you might wonder what steps you can take to minimize your own waste. The best things we can do are buy high quality items that are built to last, and to buy locally as often as we can.

• If you use wrapping paper, ribbons, and holiday decorations, save and reuse them as many times as you can
• Recycle to help minimize the amount of trash that ends up in the landfill
• Buy gifts that are locally made or made in the USA to reduce the carbon footprint that comes with shipping items long distances
• Invest in top quality gifts that will last for many years and decades to come
• Support small businesses that engage in sustainable business practices

When it comes to avoiding disposable, cheap, one-time-use products, nothing beats a well-made, locally sourced gift with the durability to last a lifetime.

How often do last year's Christmas presents end up in this year's trash cans after being broken, or rendered obsolete by something new and better? How often do products make transcontinental journeys on cargo boats and planes halfway around the world, only to be thrown away after only a few months of use?

Shop Local, Support Sustainable Small Business

Everyone appreciates high-quality gifts that will continue to be useful for years to come. The Iaso Stainless Steel Herb Grinder has been designed for exactly that purpose. If you have friends or family members who use herb grinders, especially those using aluminum grinders, you can trust that they will not be disappointed by Iaso's American made, 100% Medical Grade Stainless Steel Grinders.

Our grinders are made with premium components with sustainability in mind. We use high quality, renewable materials in our products and packaging.

At our workshop in Essex Junction, Vermont, each piece is CNC-machined, finished and packed to ship to your door. Our steel grinders are of the highest quality you would expect from an American-made product. They are easy to use and clean.

Our complete lineup includes:

• Stainless Steel Herb Grinders
• Smell Proof Stash Containers
• Metal Chillums & One Hitters
• Wooden Rolling Trays

Wrapping It Up

Over the holiday season, we produce more waste, which is bad for the environment. By making good decisions on where we shop and what we buy, we can take easy steps to minimize waste production, decrease CO2, and enjoy high-quality items for years to come.