Celebrating Thanksgiving the Eco-Friendly Way
Creating an eco-friendly Thanksgiving dinner isn’t as difficult as some may think. It is actually quite simple. Here are 10 tips on how you can celebrate Thanksgiving this year the green way.
1. Eat Organic
When you choose organically grown foods you are supporting organic farming which helps the environment by not utilizing pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
2. Go Meatless This Year
Animal agriculture is surprisingly harsh on the environment. It produces large amounts of methane gas and other pollutions harming the earth. Presently, an astonishing one third of the earth’s grain harvest is used to feed livestock rather than humans.
3. Buy Local
When you purchase food that has been grown or raised locally you are not only supporting your local community, but you are also reducing your carbon footprint by not requiring food to be shipped in from long distances.
4. Pass on the Paper Goods
Serve dinner on actual plates with silverware rather than handing out the paper plates. Also, use cloth napkins and cloth tablecloths.
5. Get Creative in Decorating
Decorate your table with tall cylinders filled with seasonal fruit and use twigs to decorate around the outside of the cylinders. Get really creative and make your own fall leaves garland that you can hang up around the house.
6. Turn the Heat Down
Turn your thermostat down by 4-5 degrees since your house will be plenty warm from the oven and all of the people inside.
7. Use Candlelight
Utilize candlelight to conserve electricity. You and your guests will be able to enjoy dinner in a nice candlelit atmosphere. Also, be sure to look for the ones made out of soy or beeswax since they don’t let out toxic chemicals when being burned.
8. Serve Biodynamic Wine
Biodynamic wine is created by following the biodynamic approach that was created by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner. This approach sees the vineyard as an ecological whole which takes into consideration not just the grapes, but the soil and insects as well. Farmers also look to the planets and stars to see when it is the best time for sowing and harvesting.
9. Send Guests Home with Leftovers
Don’t throw leftovers away, send each guest home with a plate full to-go. You can even take it one step further and place leftovers in glass jars rather than using paper plates and aluminum foil.
10. Recycle
Lastly, don’t forget to recycle. Recycling reduces greenhouse gases, saves resources and supports public health. It is by far the simplest way to ensure your Thanksgiving meal is taking the extra step to protect the environment.
