Gifts, especially for birthdays and the December holiday season, generate a high amount of waste and contribute to your carbon footprint. Love Your City has compiled a few ways you can give gifts to others more sustainably and give back to your community. This has also been uploaded to our Instagram (@loveyourcity_nola) and Twitter (@LYCNola) so feel free to share!

Reusable Gift Wraps
- Most wrapping papers are not recyclable since they contain glitters and plastics.
- Reusable gift wraps reduce waste when wrapping gifts and allows gift recipients to continue using them later on instead of buying gift bags or wrapping papers.
- Lowers environmental impacts of the holiday season and birthdays.
Buy Gifts from Local Artists
- Buying artwork, jewelry, or other products from local artists supports your local community
- Reduces your carbon footprint since gifts do not have to travel far to be picked up or delivered
- Check out the Disco Warehouse Art Market on Tchoupitoulas Street here in New Orleans! We recently wrote an article about it in this Community Board!
Gift Cards
- Helps people save money and stay on a budget
- Supports local stores and restaurants and do not necessarily need to be used in the moment
- Can support businesses and restaurants during tenuous times

Let us know of other ways you are practicing sustainable gift giving!