4.9 pounds of garbage. According to the EPA, this is how much waste the average American produces everyday. On an individual level, it is quite easy to take small steps in reducing that daily average. With the fall season kicking in and the holidays just around the corner, these are some ways to celebrate and enjoy them sustainably.

If you decorate for your favorite holidays, work to reuse old decorations instead of buying new ones. American waste increases by 25% around the holidays and reusing old decorations can decrease that amount. Of course everyone has a favorite seasonal drink, if your favorite coffee shop allows it, try bringing your own cup and/or straw to reduce use of plastic and waste. If you like to celebrate with a big meal, try to buy as much locally sourced food as you can. This not only reduces the amount of emissions from transport, but also makes your food more fresh. If you traditionally eat meat with your holiday meals, try something new and see how you feel about eat- ing plant based. The meat industry is a major contributor to climate change, so eating plant based can reduce that impact. All of these steps you can take towards sustainability can help you decrease your daily 4.9 pounds of waste to a smaller amount and do your part in resolving the climate crisis.

The sustainability tips included in the graphic above begin by outlining relatively inexpensive ways that you can decrease your carbon footprint. As the graphic goes up, It also offers progressively more expensive and difficult sustainability practices to incorporate in your life. If you are interested in calculating your personal, or family’s carbon footprint, you can go to Wren.com. The site will ask you a few questions, calculate your carbon footprint, then give you ways to offset it through donating or volunteering.

Global warming can be an overwhelming topic, but rest assured, you can make easy small changes to your lifestyle to reduce your contribution to the climate crisis.