How to Have a Waste-Free Thanksgiving
While the holiday season brings joyful celebrations, it also generates an alarming amount of waste. In the US, household waste rises by 25% from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day.
Architectural Digest recently published: The Ultimate Guide to a Sustainable Holiday Season, which offers tips for reducing environmental impact and enjoying greener holidays. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/reviews/home-improvement/sustainable-holidays
Here is their advice for: “How to Have a Waste-Free Thanksgiving.”
Thanksgiving represents gratitude and togetherness, so it’s a great time to show appreciation for planet Earth. Use these tips for sustainable cooking practices and simple ways to reduce waste.
Mindful Meal Planning and Feasting: When hosting Thanksgiving, it’s easy to get carried away and make more food than everyone can consume. And while washing dishes is a hassle, single-use plastic and paper dining products create unnecessary waste. Here are some tips for a thoughtful feast:
Local and seasonal delights: Shopping at a large supermarket is convenient but supports production practices that contribute to environmental pollution and waste. This year, make a point to support local farmers and choose organic, sustainably sourced ingredients.
Waste reduction and composting: Everyone loves Thanksgiving leftovers, but a lot of food can end up in the trash. Instead of tossing food that’s past its prime, set up a composting station to recycle your food scraps into fertilizer for new vegetation.
Reusable tableware: Opt for reusable dinnerware and cloth napkins instead of disposable options to reduce the pile-up of plastic and paper products. Then, store leftovers in reusable glass containers rather than single-use plastic ones to keep them fresh and curb additional waste.
Shopping list: Instead of buying as much food as you can fit in your cart, create a well-thought-out shopping list and calculate the necessary number of servings based on the size of your guest list. You’ll save money and reduce food waste.
Thoughtful Decor and Gratitude: As much fun as shopping sprees can be, buying brand-new decor every year is not sustainable. Consider these eco-friendly decorating tips:
Repurpose old decor: Trends change, but that doesn’t mean your existing decor has no use. Incorporate timeless classics, such as wreaths and table runners, and look for inspiration online on how to style your existing pieces to keep with design trends.
Incorporate natural materials: Use pumpkins, gourds, and squash as centerpieces. Burn beeswax or soy candles for a cozy ambiance, avoiding petroleum-derived wax for a more eco-friendly option. You can also incorporate fall leaves, pinecones, acorns, and branches into your decor for a natural touch that can be composted after use.
Responsible Gathering and Eco-Friendly Traveling
Increased travel around the holidays is a huge contributor to pollution. Barnett says to reduce reliance on your car as much as possible and to opt for carpooling and public transportation when possible. When hosting an event, suggest your guests carpool with friends and family to reduce emissions. Try to knock out all your holiday errands in one go instead of making multiple trips.
Give Back to the Community
Supporting your local community is one of the best ways to show gratitude during the holiday season.
Volunteer: Barnett suggests incorporating volunteer activities into your holiday celebration, such as giving your time to a nonprofit that supports the environment or organizing a beach clean-up. Donating unused, nonperishable food to your local food bank is another way to support your community during the holiday season while making sure no meals go to waste.
Support local businesses: Local businesses often prioritize seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. By choosing these, you support sustainable farming practices rather than rely on food shipped from distant regions. Plus, you’re lifting up the local economy, advises Clark
Resources
The Ultimate Guide to a Sustainable Holiday Season ( Waste-Free Thanksgiving)
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/reviews/home-improvement/sustainable-holidays
Gail Powell, Pullen Earth Ministry Team
