Giving Thanks Without Giving Waste

November 13th, 2008 BY AceFisch | 6 Comments

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends and giving thanks for the earth we’ve been given. In remembering the earth this holiday season, here are five tips for keeping it sustainable.

1. Eat Local, Eat Organic: Food is the main tenet of any thanksgiving dinner, especially the turkey. You can help by buying organic produce or free-range turkey. Looking into the poultry provider, but many organic turkeys are fed on sustainable diets without added growth hormones. They tend to be smaller, but taste better too! Or you can even take it a step further and go vegen (http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/green-news/study-going-green-means/) this Thanksgiving.
Other produce can either be bought locally depending on the season, such as winter squash, while organic produce is another bonus in both flavor and environmental consciousness.

2. Travel Wise: Visiting family and friends during the holidays can run your car ragged. If you’re not staying local look into carpooling with family. You’ll all save on gas and simplify travel as well. Make sure before leaving though, that your car is in prime running order such as properly inflated and rotated tires and brakes.
Other eco-options for longer travel (http://www.girlsustainable.com/travel/sustainable) include train or air travel. Per capita, air travel is one of the least environmentally damaging ways to go, so if your drive looks to be over a day, try flying instead.

3. Decorating Smart: Everyone loves holiday décor! How about something fresh? Indian corn and seasonal gourds can be found at most grocery or craft stores, they are colorful, biodegradable, and they store for years!
For place settings, use washable cotton tablecloths and dishware instead of disposable cups and plates. It is the holidays- time for something nice! If you’re feeding a full house though, you can try reusable/disposable heavy duty plates. They’re easy to purchase and work for more than one meal, helping to get more with less waste.

4. Save Leftovers: Leftover food is a staple of the thanksgiving feast, and can last up to two weeks- or longer! Some ways to stretch you food is not overindulge. Eating in moderations can save you from shopping for awhile. Saving food in reusable containers is also a great idea, instead of disposable bags. not only will your overstuffed fridge prevent food from being squished, but they also reduce excess waste.

5. Stay at Home: It’s the time to visit family, but with Christmas right around the corner, travel might be just too far for comfort. Instead of all the hastle, settle in and stay at home. Feeding for less means less waste and you’ll save money on travel too. If you love the company, feel free to invite neighbors or nearby friends! It’s a great time of year to get in touch with the people right next to us.

AceFisch | My Bio & Articles

I am an junior English major/ Philosophy minor at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. Currently I am spending the spring of 2009 studying at the University College Cork in Cork, Ireland.