My local newspaper, Rochester, New York's Democrat and Chronicle offers 10 environmentally-friendly tips for greening up your Thanksgiving:
1. Forgo disposable dishware. If you don't have enough plates, glasses and flatware to go around, borrow from guests or neighbors.
2. If you must do disposable, buy biodegradable and then compost it (otherwise, it just takes up space in the landfill, along with Styrofoam cups, paper plates and plastic forks).
3. Switch to cloth napkins. They feel better on the skin, absorb food mess better and don't take up much space in the washing machine and dryer. If this is a first-time investment, buy one set for special occasions, one set for everyday use. It won't be long until you wonder how you tolerated flimsy paper napkins for so long.
4. Use reusable food containers instead of wrapping leftovers in foil or plastic wrap or putting them in plastic bags. Want to send food home with your guests? Ask them to bring their own containers.
5. Yes, it's fun to have lots of food to serve and share. But don't overdo it to the point where you are throwing food out afterward. Plan, shop and cook carefully to avoid waste. Freeze whatever food you won't eat as soon as possible.
6. A 2006 study from the University of Washington found that driving several miles to the farmers market wiped out any savings in carbon emissions that might have been gained by purchasing locally grown food. Consolidate your trips to the farmers market and supermarket. Plan ahead to avoid last-minute runs to the store, and walk, bike, bus or carpool to shop whenever possible.
7. Decorate with what's on hand. Instead of flowers flown in from overseas, how about a lovely table centerpiece of locally grown gourds and squashes from the farmers market?
8. Buy local. Late fall is a great time of year to buy local: Potatoes, apples, winter squashes, greens, pears, onions and cabbages are abundant this time of year.
9. Buy a locally grown, organic and/or sustainably raised turkey. There are many area livestock farmers who now offer free-range, organic or sustainably raised birds. Supermarkets also offer organic turkey options, as do natural food stores. Be aware that in some cases, orders must be placed early, so if you can't eat organic this Thanksgiving, there's always next year.
10. From wine bottles to empty cans of broth, a holiday meal generates extra trash. Be sure all your recyclable waste goes to the recycling bin.
An additional tip, although probably too late for this Thanksgiving, is to look into purchasing a Heritage Turkey, which are turkeys that are genetically pure and whose ancestry can be traced back 100 years. These turkeys take longer to raise than traditional, commercially-raised turkeys, but you won't be getting any antibiotics or hormones---just good 'ol 100% whole turkey goodness!
However you celebrate this Thanksgiving, raise a glass in thanks to Mother Earth and all she has done for us!
Comments