17 SUSTAINABLE FALL ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE AUTUMN AND THE PLANET

17 SUSTAINABLE FALL ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE AUTUMN AND THE PLANET

Cozy up and enjoy the magic of autumn with these 17 sustainable fall activities! 

From food waste to single-use products to unwanted gifts, our society creates so much waste during the last three months of the year! While I love fall and the holiday season, I find it’s such a shame that we do not honor the planet, particularly at this time of the year. It’s incredible how beautiful nature becomes in autumn! Not that it isn’t magical during other seasons, but there is something breathtaking and cozy about the warm, autumnal colors. Watching trees let go of their leaves and observing the changing colors one day at a time is very meditative and heartwarming. The good news is that we can enjoy the magic of fall while being sustainable.

How can we be sustainable in the fall?

We can be eco-friendly in a variety of ways in the fall. Of course, we can do the same things we do all year round to minimize waste and reduce our environmental footprint. We can take action to save water and energy at home and avoid impulse buying and overconsumption. We can also choose to be more conscious with our choices and only buy sustainable products. Finally, we can indulge in fun and cozy activities to welcome the fall season.

But let’s make it eco-friendly with these 17 sustainable fall activities!

17 sustainable fall activities to celebrate autumn and the planet

1. Visit a forest

If you live near a forest, take a few hours during the weekend to visit it.

Walk slowly and observe all the beautiful autumnal colors around you.

Pay attention to how nature is slowly changing and letting all those leaves go.  If you don’t have a forest nearby, that’s okay: you can observe nature even in a park in the city! 

2. Decorate your home with elements from nature

For many of us, fall is the perfect season to decorate and make our homes as cozy and welcoming as possible.

If you like decorating for the season, try not to buy those plastic decorations at the store.

They are very wasteful and poorly made! You can find gorgeous decorations for free in nature.

And these won’t cost you anything!

Go foraging and see what you can collect (without disturbing the local wildlife).

For instance, you can create a lovely wreath using leaves and twigs! 

3. Enjoy a pumpkin spice latte

When the weather cools down, I’m always up for a warm cup of tea or hot cocoa!

If you too like warm beverages, take advantage of the fall to enjoy a pumpkin spice latte in a local coffee shop. 

Drink it in a reusable mug at the café or ask them to pour it into your reusable to-go cup.

You can also make it yourself at home.

To make it even more sustainable, replace cow’s milk with oat or soy milk, and prefer vegan whipped cream. 

4. Go thrifting

If you need anything new for your fall wardrobe, go thrifting before buying new.

Buying clothes second-hand has so many environmental benefits! 

What’s more, you will find unique pieces and save a lot of money in the process. 

You can also buy your fall decorations there, so it’s always worth going at the beginning of autumn. 

Read more: 14 things to look for at thrift stores

5. Go apple picking 

One of my favorite sustainable fall activities is apple picking!

Find a local orchard (preferably organic) and visit it with your family or friends.

It’s a super fun activity to do with other people, and you get to stock up on delicious apples for the season! 

6. Make homemade apple cider

If you’ve gone apple picking, chances are you came back home with lots of apples.

You might even have so much you don’t know what to do with all of them. 

If so, make some homemade apple cider!

Enjoy sipping this fresh, vibrant beverage while watching tree leaves falling; you’ll love it!

7. Read books when it’s raining

What’s cozier than reading a book next to a window when it’s raining outside?!

There’s something so comforting about being warm and relaxed inside when it’s raining cats and dogs outside! 

Make sure to cozy up under a soft blanket and listen to the raindrops from time to time.

Read more: 12 organic cotton blankets and throws to keep you cuddled up in warmth