Your Guide to a Low Waste Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means time spent with family and friends eating good food and considering all that we are thankful for. But Thanksgiving is also a time where food waste in the US skyrockets - in fact, around 1/3 of edible turkey meat is thrown out, along with lots of other food, not to mention all the waste from disposable dishware and packaging. Whether you’re hosting others or visiting someone else’s home, use the tips and tricks below to have a low waste holiday!
THE MEAL: The biggest part of Thanksgiving for many is the food itself! Here are a few ways to reduce waste from the food you prepare, and its packaging.
Purchase whole foods - think whole fruits and vegetables, instead of pre-sliced in plastic packaging. Bulk foods are also available in many grocery stores, with less packaging or bring-you-own-container options for grains, nuts, and other staples. Usually, the less packaging, the healthier the food is anyway! And of course, don’t forget your reusable grocery bags and produce bags for the store.
Shop local - check out local farmers markets and purchase produce and other foods locally when possible. Local means less transportation, and fewer emissions! Plus, you can support a local business around the holidays.
Reduce waste - try out this calculator to determine how much food you’ll need for your guests! Though Thanksgiving leftovers can be great, sometimes there is still too much.
Compost scraps - as you prep and cook, save food scraps for compost. If you don’t already compost at home or through a service, see if a friend or family member does, or check out one of the many local composting services.
THE DISHES AND DECOR: In addition to the Thanksgiving meal, you may want to spruce up your house or gift your host with some autumnal decorations or buy some turkey-themed disposable plates for the event. Instead, use what you have and avoid single-use items.
Use washable dishes and cutlery - though it can be easy to reach for the disposable plates, bowls, and silverware for an event, avoid it if you can! Single-use plastic sticks around long after it’s been on your dining room table, so best to stick with dishes that can be washed and used again - plus, real dishes look nice on your table!
If you are worried about having enough dishes, ask guests to BYOP - bring your own plate! It may feel a little silly, but it’s a great way to get in the spirit of giving thanks for what we already have.
Use cloth napkins - similar to dishes, paper napkins are single-use, while cloth can be washed and used again hundreds of times. If you don’t already have cloth napkins, you could check out your local thrift store or even make some from the reuse items at the Hub!
Decorate from nature - instead of buying decorations that may soon be thrown out or stuffed in a box for next year, try to decorate with items that can be returned to nature or composted, such as pumpkins, gourds, or even send the kids on a hunt for beautiful autumn leaves!
THE LEFTOVERS: That turkey sandwich the day after Thanksgiving is almost as great as the holiday itself! Keep these tips in mind when cleaning up after your event.
Store in reusable containers - any leftovers that you do have can be stored in reusable containers, such as tupperware or silicone bags, rather than single-use plastic. If you know you’ll be sending guests home with leftovers, encourage them to bring a container or two to fill up!
Freeze what you can’t eat - if you know you can’t eat all your leftovers, think about freezing what you’re able to for a later time. Even items that don’t freeze perfectly can later be used in soups or stews.
Compost - like your cooking scraps, if there are any leftovers that can’t be salvaged, compost at home, through a friend, or with a local service.
It may not be easy to have a completely zero-waste Thanksgiving, but we can all make small improvements. Don’t forget to bring recyclables from your meal, such as plastic packaging, to the Hub after the holidays.
Any ideas that we missed? How do you reduce the waste produced by your family during Thanksgiving? Let us know in the comments below and have a happy holiday!