Gobble Gobble Green
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. If you’re not careful, it can be a very non-environmentally friendly day. Let’s green it up this year with these quick green tips to make your Thanksgiving as eco-friendly as possible.
Talking Turkey
• Buy an organic Free-Range Turkey. An organic free range turkey is suppose to be turkey that is not in cages and is allowed to move about the yard. Some informative sites we recommend will help ensure you are getting exactly what you are looking for. Really Natural and Free Range Turkeys.
• Yes, organic free-range turkeys can be expensive so if it doesn’t fit in your budget this year consider another alternative. Buy a regular turkey and the rest of your food organic. Local Farmers market is a good place to look for organic fruits and veggies, but if there isn’t one near your area buy organic from your local grocery store.
Organic
Buy everything you can buy organic, milk, meat, veggies, fruits, etc. This includes any boxed or canned items you may purchase. Remember to go online and search for Organic coupons. This will help cut down the cost of your Thanksgiving feast.
Packaging
When you go to the store buy things that have the least amount of packaging and try to buy packaging that is environmentally friendly.
Don’t cook so much
We know…. you want to make sure that there is plenty of food for all your family and friends, however, think about all the left overs you had last year that didn’t all get used. Between the turkey, the many side dishes and the desserts there is always plenty of food to stuff everyone.
Dinnerware and silverware
It’s okay to use your good dishes or even your regular dishes for Thanksgiving. It is a celebration after all, but if the thought of washing so many dishes is frightening look into biodegradable or bamboo disposable dishes.
Decorations
Reuse your old decorations from last year in new way or just make some new ones. Use items from your back yard and fall fabric colors if you have any to make a nice centerpiece. As always the Internet is a great resource for creative ideas. Any bought decorations should also be environmentally friendly, that includes flowers, plants and so on.
100-Mile
Participate in the 100-Mile Thanksgiving challenge from Treehugger.
Plant a tree
Winter season is a good time to plant trees and shrubs so take this time to plant a tree and keep the green growing.
Carbon credits.
If you must fly or drive to visit family this Thanksgiving consider purchasing carbon credits to make up for it.
Donate your turkey fat
No, not the fat you put on from eating the turkey, but the actual fat from the cooked Turkey. Can you believe a Tucson-based company recycles Turkey fat into Biofuel? Check to see if a company in your community does too.
Say Thanks
Make time to be thankful for the simple things in life that make it special. Being thankful is good for our planet too.