This Thanksgiving, before giving thanks and enjoying the feast with loved ones, consider these tips for creating a more eco-friendly holiday. Thanksgiving can quickly become a day of excess with lots of food and waste. As we sit down to the table this year, let's not forget how fortunate and blessed we are to have family and friends, and how we can each make a positive impact on the environment for future generations. If you are looking for a few ways to green it up this year, here are some quick green tips to make your Thanksgiving as eco-friendly as possible.
- Turkey Compromise: Instead of taking the most extreme route and selecting a complete vegan meal, buy an organic Free-Range Turkey. An organic free range turkey is one that is not in caged and is allowed to move about the yard.
- Organic Fruits and Vegetables: If an organic free range turkey does not fit into your budget consider buying a regular turkey and use organic fruits and vegetables in your meal. Local farmers markets are an excellent place for not only organic food, but also supporting your local farmers. You can also check your local grocery store as most large chains have added organic selections to their aisles.
- Packaging: When you go to the store buy things that have the least amount of packaging and try to buy packaging that is eco-friendly.
- Reduce: While it is better to have more food than not enough think about the amount of leftovers you had from last year. If possible try to reduce the amount of leftovers that you have that will go to waste. If you accidentally do make too much food or someone cancels, give the leftovers away to family and friends. Your church may even have a program where you can package up the meal for someone less fortunate to enjoy. Don't let your leftovers go to waste.
- Dinnerware and Silverware. It's okay to use your good dishes or even your regular dishes for Thanksgiving; it is a celebration after all! But if the thought of washing so many dishes is terrifying, look into biodegradable or bamboo dishes. We recommend checking out these cool Palm Leaf Dinnerware made from fallen palm leaves.
- Decorations. Reuse your old decorations from last year in new way or just make some new ones. Use items from your back yard and fall fabric colors if you have any to make a nice centerpiece. Any purchased decorations should also be environmentally friendly, that includes flowers, plants, etc.
- Plant a tree. Winter season is a good time to plant trees and shrubs so take this time to plant a tree and keep the green growing.
- Carbon credits. If you must fly or drive to visit family this Thanksgiving consider purchasing carbon credits to make up for it. CO2 Offsets for your auto and air travel emissions footprint plus other eco lifestyle resources are a good way to maintain a neutral carbon footprint during the holidays.
- Donate your turkey fat. No, not the fat you put on from eating the turkey, but the actual fat from the cooked turkey. Can you believe a Tucson-based company recycles Turkey fat into Biofuel? Check to see if a company in your community does as well.
- Say Thanks…
Don't let the bills gobble up your budget.
For some great ways to say thanks but no thanks to high utility bills this season, take a look at the GREENandSAVE ranking on energy saving tips.
