Thanksgiving is an American tradition celebrated by millions of households each year. The holiday is known for family gatherings, comfort foods, and spike consumptions in energy and resources. Why not make this year’s Thanksgiving more environmentally friendly with some easy suggestions, and do it without sacrificing your traditions.
- Clean the house with eco-friendly products. From the kitchen to the bathroom to the living room - there are environmentally safe cleaning solutions for every inch of your house. Visit healthycleaning.com to browse the best natural solutions and product lines for your cleaning needs. There are even tips on how to clean with products you may already have in your cupboard or pantry.
- Purchase organic, local foods for dinner. Check labels at the grocery store to see where your products come from; or make it simple and shop at a market that gets much of its inventory from local sources. Try The Good Earth, Real Food Company, Rainbow Grocery Co-op, and Other Avenues Community Food Store. Don't forget your reusable grocery shopping bags to minimize your impact on landfills.
Extra step: Take the 100-mile Thanksgiving Challenge: Get all your goodies this holiday from within 100 miles of where you live.
- Be a conscious turkey shopper. For your holiday turkeys, look for birds labeled “American Humane Certified,” or “USDA Certified Organic” to ensure your main dish was raised humanely and sustainably and wasn't injected with hormones.
Extra step: Go vegetarian or vegan this Thanksgiving with a Tofurky.
- Buy food items that use the least amount of packaging. Many times we throw things in the shopping cart without taking into account ingredients, where they came from, and how they are packaged. If
you are buying corn on the cob placed on Styrofoam and wrapped in several layers of plastic, not only is the product likely imported, but it puts a large amount of non-biodegradable waste into the ground. Buy fresh and local, and this won't be a problem. If you do buy cans and glass, remember to recycle.
Extra step: Consider making your own beverages so there is no bottle or can waste. Homemade tea, kambucha, apple cider and eggnog are holiday treats.
- Freeze or donate leftovers. Everyone loves Thanksgiving leftovers, from cranberry gravy sandwiches to turkey soup. Before you tire of the flavors and toss the rest, wrap up excess food and freeze it or donate it to your local food bank. Or better yet, plan ahead so that there is less left over.
Extra step: Donate turkey fat from the roasting pan or the deepfryer to a co-op that makes biofuel. Local SF drop-off locations include: Whole Foods 399 4th Street, Whole Foods 1765 California Street, and Household Drop-off Waste Center between 401 and 501 Tunnel Avenue.
- Avoid throwaway materials. Don't use disposable utensils, plates, napkins or tablecloths for the big day. Use reusable storage containers for leftovers instead of plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
- Decorate sustainably. Consider buying recycled decorations from the local thrift store. Or make a game out of it: Have children craft decor out of natural and recycled products like corn husks, dried flowers and colorful fall leaves.
- Engage in carbon neutral activities. Organize a family football game, go on a long walk, and encourage outside activities instead of TV. The more everyone is outside, the less fossil fuel energy they
consume; and everyone will be happy to work up an appetite.
Extra step: Purposely forget certain, less time-critical items so you can send guests out on foot to pick them up. This could be anything from whipped cream to candles.
- Have dinner at home. If you don't need to travel for the holiday, it's both safer and more environmentally friendly to stay home. But if your celebration is away from the house, consider public transit or carpooling with friends or neighbors.
Extra step: Purchase carbon credits to offset the carbon dioxide emissions generated by your flight or car ride, and your holiday guilt will only include that second slice of pie.
- Keep the thermostat low. Request that guests dress warmly and keep the thermostat at 70 degrees. If you are going to light a fire, make sure your vents are open and chimney clean, as the burning wood can quickly contaminate the air inside the house.
- Buy online for Black Friday: Save in gas mileage and superstore stress by staying at home the Friday after Thanksgiving. According to the Center for Energy and Climate Solutions, 10 pounds of packages shipped by overnight air uses 40 percent less fuel than driving yourself round-trip to the mall.
For more tips and information, visit these websites:
www.localharvest.org
www.northcoastco-op.com
www.slowfood.com
www.williebird.com
www.SFGreasecycle.org
www.carbonfund.org
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