How Green Monday Can Inspire Smarter Holiday Shopping

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Green Monday has long been seen as a final push for holiday shopping—one last chance to snag deals before the gift-giving deadline. It’s a day filled with last-minute online orders, expedited shipping, and, inevitably, mountains of packaging waste. But as consumer spending spikes, so does the impact on our planet. The holiday season alone accounts for a 25% increase in waste, much of it from discarded packaging, single-use materials, and products that don’t stand the test of time.

But what if Green Monday wasn’t just about spending money? What if it became a moment to reflect on how we spend, how we package, and how we dispose of everything that comes with it? This year, thought leaders and environmental advocates are calling for a shift—a move toward smarter consumption that puts sustainability at the center of holiday shopping.

When we think about holiday expenses, we often focus on the dent in our wallets. But what about the cost to the environment? Online shopping has made Green Monday a major contributor to waste production. With every order comes a package—sometimes oversized boxes filled with air pillows, bubble wrap, and other non-recyclable materials. These items might protect your purchase, but they create a logistical nightmare for recycling facilities.

“Most people think they’re doing the right thing by tossing a cardboard box in the recycling bin,” says a recycling facility manager in California. “But when that box is filled with bubble wrap or lined with plastic film, it contaminates the load. That one mistake can send an entire batch of otherwise recyclable material to a landfill.”

The problem doesn’t stop there. Many holiday gifts come with their own packaging, often in the form of multi-layered plastics, laminated coatings, and adhesive labels—all of which complicate recycling. It’s a classic case of “out of sight, out of mind.” Once the trash leaves the curb, few of us think about where it ends up.

While the blame is often placed on consumers, experts argue that companies have a much larger role to play. JD Ambati, Founder and CEO of EverestLabs, believes Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies have a responsibility to create products that don’t just look good on the shelf, but also fit into the circular economy.

“The holiday season brings joy, family gatherings, and gift-giving, but it also generates a significant amount of waste, up to 25% more trash than usual,” Ambati says. “This year, we have an opportunity to rethink our approach. Instead of simply consuming more, we can start to consume smarter. CPG companies can make this easier for consumers by designing packaging that is either highly recyclable or made from recycled materials, making it more sustainable.”

For many brands, this means rethinking packaging from the ground up. Instead of using multi-layer materials that are difficult to process at recycling facilities, companies can prioritize single-material (mono-material) packaging, which is far easier to sort and recycle. Refillable packaging and “naked” products (those sold with little or no packaging) are also gaining traction as sustainable alternatives.

Retailers and brands that adopt these changes aren’t just doing it for good PR. They’re responding to consumer demand. A 2024 consumer survey revealed that 57% of people are more likely to buy products with recyclable or eco-friendly packaging. For brands, sustainable packaging isn’t just a moral choice—it’s a market opportunity.

Even with better packaging, waste still needs to be sorted, processed, and properly recycled. That’s where the role of AI and robotics comes in. Sorting facilities, also known as material recovery facilities (MRFs), handle thousands of tons of material daily. Traditionally, human workers were responsible for identifying and separating materials from conveyor belts. But that process is slow, costly, and prone to human error.

This is where AI-driven technology is making a difference. Robotics systems, powered by machine learning algorithms, can identify, sort, and recover packaging materials with precision. Unlike human workers, AI systems can recognize new materials as they enter the waste stream, even if they are folded, crushed, or covered in dirt. These advancements increase recovery rates, reduce contamination, and ensure that materials like aluminum, glass, and certain plastics remain in circulation longer.

“AI and robotics can then recover these materials in recycling facilities, keeping packaging and products in circulation longer, reducing landfill waste, and benefiting the environment,” says Ambati. “It’s about turning the recycling process from reactive to proactive.”

In simpler terms, rather than waiting for waste to accumulate, facilities can use AI to predict, track, and adapt to changes in packaging materials. This makes it easier for recycling systems to handle the growing complexity of modern waste, especially during high-consumption periods like the holiday season.

While it’s easy to put all the responsibility on companies and recycling facilities, consumers aren’t off the hook. Everyday decisions have an impact, and small changes in holiday shopping habits can go a long way. Here are a few ways consumers can help reduce holiday waste:

1. Buy smarter, not more: Look for products with minimal packaging or brands that use recyclable materials.

2. Choose quality over quantity: Opt for gifts that will last, not “disposable” items that will break or become obsolete in a year.

3. Reuse, reuse, reuse: Gift bags, tissue paper, and ribbons can all be reused, reducing the need for new materials.

4. Recycle with intention: Make sure packaging is free from plastic film, adhesives, and food contamination before placing it in the recycling bin.

5. Think beyond the gift: Experiences, digital gifts, and subscription services don’t require physical packaging at all.

Green Monday doesn’t have to be just another day of consumerism. It can be a time to reflect on how we consume, the packaging we bring into our homes, and the waste we generate. Companies can lead the way by designing smarter, more recyclable packaging. AI and robotics can ensure that waste is properly processed once it reaches the recycling center. But as consumers, we also have a role to play.

This holiday season, let’s not just shop smarter—let’s consume smarter. Small choices can add up to big change. Because the best gift we can give future generations isn’t found on a store shelf—it’s the promise of a cleaner, more sustainable planet.