Having a green Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean adding yet another layer of stress to an already hectic day. So how can we keep the good food, family, and football, but cut out some of the waste? Here are a few ideas to try this holiday season.
Buy local. Think about it: The first Thanksgiving was a celebration of a bountiful local harvest. Try bringing back that spirit by buying everything for your feast from producers within a 100-mile radius.
Decorate creatively. Instead of hanging plastic Pilgrims in your windows or putting one of those giant inflatable turkeys in your yard, take the kids out for a walk and collect some pinecones, leaves, berries, and twigs to make decorations.
Set a no-waste table. Here’s an excuse to get out the good cloth napkins, china, silverware, and glasses instead of disposable table-settings. If you dread the cleanup, remember you’ll have lots of help. Soy-based and beeswax candles are also greener than paraffin ones, which are made from petroleum.
Turn down the thermostat. With so much cooking going on (and so many of your in-laws in the house), there will be plenty of hot air. You don’t want anybody passing out until after the meal.
Grill the gobbler. To save energy, consider cooking on the barbecue if the weather in your area permits. We have a friend who serves marinated turkey London broil. Simple and still YUM!
Respect the leftovers. When you foist what remains onto the relatives, do it in storage containers rather than in plastic wrap or bags. Use the turkey carcass for soup or stock, and compost the rest.
Use the dishwasher. Since there are usually lots of volunteers to help with cleanup, people tend to stand around the sink with water running. Instead, decline the offers and just pile everything into the dishwasher without rinsing and hit the air-dry button. That method uses much less water and energy.
Recycle the fat. We’re not kidding. City officials in Plano, TX, actually made it possible for townsfolk who fried their birds to donate the fat to the bio-diesel fuel industry. If there’s a similar movement in your area, look into doing the same.
Pump up your tires. If you’re driving to a Thanksgiving dinner this year, inflate your car tires to the psi recommended on the sidewalls. Doing so improves gas mileage by 3.3%, which means less gunk in our air (not to mention, more money in your wallet).
The earth says “Thanks.”
Sublime snacks
