Tips on how to holiday shop sustainability

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Some people do their holiday shopping throughout the year. Others start the day after Thanksgiving. Then, there are those who wait until, well, a few hours or so before Christmas Day.

No matter which group you may fall in, there are sustainable options that help the effort to Go Green.

Between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, we Americans will generate 25% more waste between now and the rest of the year.

Elizabeth Simmons, the Team Lead of the Take Care of Texas program from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, gave some tips on how to shop more sustainably.

One of the tips she offered is to shop at one store one time to cut down on excess driving.

If you're an online shopper, Simmons also suggested trying to shop at one store online rather than multiple. It reduces the number of deliveries couriers have to make at your home. Plus, some stores offer incentives for shoppers who opt for no-rush shipping. Buying at one place can reduce shipping materials and deliveries, thus saving resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

For the person who is difficult to shop for or seemingly has everything, Simmons suggested a virtual gift or experience such as a day at the spa or a concert. Maybe even a gift card or tickets to a movie or a show. A virtual gift will always be appreciated.

Vintage shops and thrift stores also have good prices and gently used items that will make for a nice present, but this is also a way to repurpose things. Plus, thrift stores often make money for a local non-profit.

If you're shopping in person, there is one last step you can take to be a sustainable shopper. Rather than a paper receipt, Simmons suggested an email or text receipt. This avoids using unnecessary paper.

More resources and information about sustainable shopping can be found on the Take Care of Texas website.