It’s finally that time of year when the weather begins to get
a little nippy and the leaves start to change colors, hinting that the holiday
season is right around the corner. Here are a few friendly tips to make your
Thanksgiving Day a green one:
1. Plan
Accordingly: According to
the NY Times, it’s estimated that Americans throw away over 100 billion pounds of
food, costing over $100 billion dollars a year. To avoid this, determine how
many dinner guests you will be having and go from there. Cooking enough to feed
an entire village may be a little extreme if you plan on only have a few
friends and family members over. Why not lessen the burden and have a potluck?
You have less to cook, more time to relax and in the end results in a good food
portion to people ratio.
2. Shop
Local: Before we all rush and eat ourselves into a Thanksgiving Day
food-induced coma, think about where your food comes from. When executing on
that shopping list, think organic or
better yet - local. Not only are
these green options but they are sure to guarantee a fresher, more nutritious
meal. Visit the NC Farm Fresh website to find a farmer offering local fruits, vegetables, and even
ethically-raised, free range local turkeys! (Plan ahead and order today)
3. Reduce
Energy Consumption: As gas prices
increase, why not plan a Thanksgiving dinner with nearby friends and family?
You’ll not only save money but also reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. If
you must go over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house for
Thanksgiving dinner, make sure to turn down that thermostat, turn off the
lights and unplug any unessential electrical appliances before you leave to go
out of town.
Last but not least, keep it simple by going back to basics: 4. RECYCLE. Recycle all packaging
and beverage containers which will in turn reduce the number of times you have
to take the trash out and significantly reduce how much garbage you send off to
the landfill. Not sure what to recycle? Check out Recycle More NC for where to take your
recyclables.
Have a safe and happy holiday and don’t forget to think
sustainably during the season of consumption!
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