How to Have a More Sustainable Thanksgiving

Like most holidays, Thanksgiving can mean a lot of food, travel, entertaining, and so on, which tends to generate a lot of waste. By incorporating some eco-friendly options into your celebrations, you can make your Thanksgiving more sustainable.

These small changes do not mean making big sacrifices. By planning ahead and making some simple swaps, you can make your holiday a little more thoughtful.

Here are some tips for a more sustainable Thanksgiving.

Shop Locally and Choose Seasonal Foods

Shopping locally is a great way to support local businesses and reduce your carbon footprint, by reducing how far your food travels to get to your table.

An easy way to shop more local is to choose seasonal vegetables, like sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkins, Brussels sprouts, carrots, apples, and cranberries. These are healthy options that can usually be found locally.

Plan Your Thanksgiving Menu Carefully

Food waste is a major issue during the holidays, so think about how you plan your menu. Try to avoid making too much food, and have a plan for leftovers. For example, have enough containers and freezer space for saving leftover food so that nothing goes to waste. Or, have a potluck style meal and attendees can take home the extra.

Cook More Plant-Based Dishes

Thanksgiving menus often revolve around turkey and other meat, but adding more plant-based dishes helps to lower your carbon footprint. It is easy to find plant-based dishes that are vegetarian or use an alternative to meat (such as soy protein products).

Use Reusable Dinnerware and Linens

Disposables are a big part of holiday waste. While reusable dinnerware can mean more work, it is worth it when it comes to reducing waste.

Cloth napkins and tableware are also a great way to go. This may take an extra load of wash, but it is very helpful in reducing waste, and can also save you money in the long run.

An alternative is compostable tableware, such as plates made from leaves.

Natural and Reusable Decorations

Instead of buying new decorations every year, like plastic banners, choose items that are better for the environment, like paper or felt.

Use pumpkins, gourds, pinecones, acorns, dried leaves, branches, and seasonal flowers to create a natural centerpiece.

Reuse decorations from previous years, such as fabric banners.

After the holidays, compost appropriate natural decor (like pumpkins), or save reusable pieces for next year.

Compost When Possible

Composting can help to cut down on a lot of waste. You can compost a wide range of food scraps, as well as other items from your Thanksgiving.

Be Mindful of Travel

Travel can be a big source of a large carbon footprint during the holidays. Consider options like carpooling or public transportation where possible, or other means of reducing your travel impact.

Avoid Single-Use Items

In addition to disposable tableware and napkins, avoid other single use items. For example, individually packaged items like snacks. Look for less packaging such as bulk items, or decorations that can be used year after year.