I’m starting to get really excited about Thanksgiving, and I hope you are, too. Even though I have a few days of work left, I’m letting a little of the giddiness creep in.
While you might expect this post to be about dishes you should make or how to cook a turkey, it’s acutally about a completely different part of the holiday.
Let’s talk about sustainability. Let me clarify that: Let’s talk about how you can have a slightly more sustainable Thanksgiving.
Let’s give the earth and our trash cans some love with a few ways to celebrate Thanksgiving that are green and don’t create as much waste. Just a few small changes can make a big impact!
Here are some tips for a more sustainable Thanksgiving:
Use real plates and napkins
Although I’m a fan of using real plates and napkins year-round, I highly encourage giving it a go for special holidays. You probably already have plates around (right?!), so just ask a few family members to help with the dishwashing…or put your dishwasher to work while you play a board game or something.
For napkins, spend $10 or so to grab a pack of cotton napkins in a color you like and then all you have to do is throw them in the wash after they’re used. Again, who doesn’t want a trash can that fills up slower?!
Buy local for your big meal
Whether it’s sweet potatoes (talking to you, North Carolinians), Brussels sprouts, turkey or a pie, support local for your big meal. Not only will your produce or dish be fresher and tastier, but you’ll also be supporting your local farmers and other organizations. It’s a win-win!
Recycle as you go
Preparing for Thanksgiving, snacking, baking, etc., you’re going to go through a lot of materials that can be recycled. From stock containers to snack boxes and beer cans, make sure you have a place to save them all so they can go straight into your recycling. This is such an easy way to live more sustainably and all it takes it a few steps out to your recycling container. Bonus points if you compost food scraps!
Eat leftovers…all the leftovers
How hard can this one be?! Make sure you eat those leftovers. Do whatever you have to to achieve this. Invite family back over, make some new friends, host a leftover party and eat each others’ T-day dishes.
Leftovers as is or created into a new dish can be so tasty and prevent food waste…and save you from eating out too much when you’ve got valuable food in the fridge.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
Overall, however you celebrate Thanksgiving, spend your time being grateful for food, family, friends and even the beauty of the earth we live in. Let’s keep it that beautiful as long as we can (and it takes a team effort for that)!