Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving

It can be challenging to stick to sustainable living during the holidays.  Thanksgiving can mean a lot of waste or other things that are not sustainable.

Here are some tips to make your Thanksgiving holiday more eco-friendly.

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Shop local

Shopping local and supporting local businesses lessens your carbon footprint.  Local vendors often have products that are sourced locally, especially companies such as farms or bakeries.  By shopping for these items, you support your local economy and reduce the distance from where the ingredients were obtained.

Avoid disposables & use reusable shopping bags

Be sure to remember reusable bags when you go shopping.

Try to avoid any disposables for your Thanksgiving celebrations.  If you are looking for a single-use item, consider compostable plates or other items such as palm leaf plates, biodegradable straws, or corn-based utensils.

Shop in bulk and have a plan for leftovers

By shopping in bulk, you help to reduce your carbon footprint and also usually lessen the amount of packaging waste.

Have a plan to save leftovers, from packaging as meals or repurposing.  For example, create freezer meals or use leftover turkey to make a soup. Use glass food storage containers.

Look For Natural Products

Look for natural products in all aspects of Thanksgiving.  Make your home smell wonderful with natural scents that don’t contain synthetics, such as fall essential oils or mulled cider. Shop for healthy, organic, sustainable food products. Even consider things like cleaning products, and choose products that are safe for your family and friends.

Use Eco-Friendly Decor

Avoid plastics and disposable decor, and opt for more natural items.  There are lots of great natural items that make for great decor, such as pumpkins or pinecones. Also look for decor that is reusable, such as felt or wood.

15 thoughts on “Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving”

  1. As a mom striving to raise my children with a strong environmental conscience, your tips have been a game-changer in making our Thanksgiving celebration more sustainable. Your emphasis on shopping local not only supports our local economy but also reduces our carbon footprint, something I’ve been trying to do more of. The idea of using reusable shopping bags and steering clear of disposables aligns perfectly with our family’s commitment to reducing waste.

  2. These are all great tips for an eco-friendly Thanks Giving. I do try to shop locally and also use reusable bags when I shop.

  3. Some great tips for being more environmentally conscious. I try to shop local as much as I can and prefer to buy from bulk stores or those that allow me to bring my own containers. I hate putting plastic containers in the trash.

  4. I haven’t decided what I’m cooking for Thanksgiving this year. I really don’t want to do a turkey since it’s just me and my son this year. I’ll have to figure out something else.

  5. Natural scents are the way to go. Synthetic fragrances aren’t the same. This time of year you really have some great choices to go with too. Cloves and oranges together are my favorite.

  6. This is a good list of tips. There is a lot of information here that I need to keep in mind. Your sharing is greatly appreciated.

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