Tips for an Environmental Thanksgiving

By: Natasha Young and Karis Manning

With the holidays right around the corner, sustainability may be something to consider.

There is more food waste during the holidays than any other time of year. To help you out in your efforts towards a more environmentally friendly Thanksgiving, check out this list of ideas to cut down on waste and carbon emissions.

First, consider shopping locally for your produce and meat. This is not just a great way to be more sustainable in your food consumption, but also a great way to support your local economy.

Second, try to include more plant-based meals, such as kale and mushroom stuffing or lentil and sweet potato shepherd’s pie. Here is a list of 23 different vegetarian meals to consider, including appetizers, main dishes, and desserts.

Third, consider starting a compost for food scraps like potato skins and the ends of green beans. You can also add your uneaten leftover vegetables into your compost if you aren't able to finish them in time.

Fourth, and this is a big one, try your hand at bringing your own reusable containers for leftovers and for cooking. As tempting as it is to use throw-away containers, they add up in the landfill. You can also save money in the long run by buying reusable containers, that way you don't have to continue purchasing one-use containers.

Fifth, you can also consider trying to use up all of the ingredients that you already have or plan to use. Planning your meals ahead of time can help cut back on food waste through leftover ingredients.

Finally, consider using the dishes and silverware that you or your family already own. Nobody likes having to do all of the dishes after Thanksgiving dinner, but it can save money and help lessen your waste during the holiday season.