10 Tips to Make This Thanksgiving Green
Be thankful for what you have and show that you are thankful for the environment by staying green this Thanksgiving. Here are 10 tips you can try out this November to maintain a green lifestyle even through the Holidays.
1. Buying local can cut down on car emissions.
Buying local can be better for the community and the environment. When buying local foods you support the local farmers and it cuts back on car emissions since the food did not have to be shipped from out of town.
2. Make no-bake dishes.
Search for recipes that you can make that doesn’t need to be baked, meaning no oven, meaning less energy used while cooking. One example of a no-back recipe is Martha Stewart’s No-Bake Cheesecake, perfect for dessert.
3. Use eco-friendly plates, napkins, utensils, etc.
There are two options when it comes to keeping it eco-friendly with the plates, napkins, utensils, etc. One option is to have recyclable plates, cups, and utensils. Be Green offers biodegradable plates that can simply be recycled instead of just thrown away. Another option is to not have any throw away napkins and use small cloths that can be simply washed. Be careful with this option because if you use large cloth napkins it would defeat the purpose because it would cost more energy and water to wash the napkins.
4. Ask you guests to bring a dish.
If your guests each bring a dish it will cut down on the energy used at your home and will also make the holiday less stressful for you. It’s a win-win situation. If your guest brings the dish in a reusable dish it can be reused for them to bring home leftovers, which is the next tip.
5. Ask your guests to bring reusable containers for leftovers.
Have your guests bring with them reusable containers so they can take home leftovers. You don’t need to use plastic baggies or saran wrap cutting back on more waste.
6. Carpool
If you are planning on having many people over see if your various guests can carpool. This will cut down on car emissions and save gas. Also if your gathering is really big you won’t have to worry about where all your guest will park as less cars will be there. This is also a safer decision for those who want to drink as someone within the carpool can be the designated driver at the end of the night.
7. Keep the scraps.
Don’t throw away the uneaten scraps of food. Turn it into compost! Various foods in the meal can be used for compost. These items may include the carrots or potatoes. Make sure you research on what foods can be used for compost instead of throwing everything into the compost pile as dairy products and meat shouldn’t be used in this way.
8. Going green with the cleaning before and after the meal.
There are many cleaning products available right now that are better for the environment than it’s harsher chemical counterparts. When you are cleaning the house before, during, and after Thanksgiving keep the house green with these green cleaning supplies.
9. Use candles instead of lights.
The turkey cooking is usually an all day event which can cost a lot of energy. Try cutting back the energy in other areas to balance out the increased use of energy. Instead of turning a bunch of lights on light candles. It can create a very intimate setting. Another option in addition to this is to have an early dinner. If the meal takes place when the sun is still out you won’t have to worry about dim lighting.
10. Make enough food to last for awhile.
Thanksgiving leftovers may be considered the best kind of leftovers. Make enough food so you won’t have to cook for awhile. This will cut back on energy you may would have used making new meals. Try reinventing the leftovers into new dishes when you get bored of the same meal. To maintain freshness also try throwing some of the leftovers into the freezer to be used at a later date.
