5 Ways to a Greener Thanksgiving
If you are in the United States, you know how big of a holiday Thanksgiving is.
Since I didn’t grow up here, I only came to learn about this holiday as an adult, and I have to say, I’ve embraced it fully and it feels like a second Christmas to me.
The best part of this holiday is that even though, much like Christmas, it is considered a family holiday, it also allows for a much relaxed approach in my opinion, and it’s common for friends to celebrate together, either with their families, or simply with other friends.
My husband and I hosted our first Thanksgiving in 2004, and we’ve hosted every year since.
Many things have changed since then: the menu for one, since we were not vegan back then and therefore prepared all the traditional dishes; the different homes we’ve lived in since then (5 moves total so far, yikes!), and the addition of a baby which made me a much better planner after I realized how exhausting it was to do all the cooking in one day with an infant in my arms (what was I thinking?).
However one thing has been constant: we’ve always opened up our home to anyone who would like to celebrate with us. And that’s still true today!
The Evolution of our Thanksgiving
In 2010 we hosted our very first vegan Thanksgiving. Everything turned out wonderful and we were so proud of ourselves for pulling it off.
Not everyone in the family was happy, but they still loved the food anyways (ha!).
In fact, there’s been years that my family did not want to join us because this was a vegan event (including this year). This is definitely a topic for another post, and something many vegans deal with and I feel is important to discuss.
However, it doesn’t stop us from doing what we love, which is cooking for our friends and having a great time doing it.
For the past few years, we’ve been living a greener lifestyle, and I feel our Thanksgiving is once again reflecting where we are today in our lives.
So I wanted to share with you 5 ways you can make your Thanksgiving a greener event this year. Here we go!
1. Ditch the Disposables
This is a party! Bring out your grandmother’s china (or whatever dishes you have), real silverwear, glasswear, tablecloth and cloth napkins.
Skip the decorated paper plates and napkins, even though they can be cute, there are other ways to set the theme for your table in order to keep it green (such as a festive centerpiece and candles).
And if you are worried about all the extra dishes, don’t be, because using the dishwasher is greener than doing dishes by hand!
If you are adamant about using disposable dishes however, look for biodegradable options such as these plates, cutlery, napkins and glasses.
Why is this green: Used paper plates, cutlery, cups and napkins cannot be recycled and therefore end up in the landfill.
2. Buy Local
The more local, the better! If you can purchase your fresh items from the local farmer’s market, or even the local produce section of your supermarket, you’re on your way to a greener Thanksgiving!
And if you are planning to purchase prepared dishes for your gathering, see if you can get them from a local business that implements sustainability options such as using local ingredients.
Why is this green: food can incur a tremendous carbon footprint when it travels long distances to get to your plate, either by making there through trucks or airplanes, increasing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Make it Meatless
One of the most impactful ways to have a green Thanksgiving is by swapping the turkey (and any other meats) for plant-based options.
You might be thinking that Thanksgiving will not be the same without the turkey because, after all, it’s tradition.
If you feel strongly about this, I’m happy to say there are plenty of vegan “turkeys” you can buy that will provide you with a “meaty” dish that is tasty and cruelty free. You can even make your very own version!
I’ve never attempted to make my very own vegan turkey loaf, so I rely on prepared roasts for this.
In our home we love the Gardein Holiday Roast, but we’ve tried most of the vegan holiday roasts on the market and have never been disappointed. Trader Joe’s also sells a similar version of Gardein’s roast.
So how about starting a new tradition this Thanksgiving and serving a compassionate main dish?
You can find these vegan roasts in most retailers such as grocery stores, Target and Walmart.
Below are some of our favorite brands:
Why is this green: It takes 520 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of turkey, versus 302 gallons of water to produce the same amount of tofu. Animals raised for food also contribute to large amounts of waste and greenhouse gas emissions*.
4. Go Digital
If you feel inclined to send a formal invite to those you’d love to have attend (I always do), then this might be the perfect gathering to try a digital invite.
The vibe of Thanksgiving certainly fits well with an online invite, and you can actually create something simple, such as a Facebook Event, or something a bit more formal, such as a Paperless Post.
Either way, your guests will appreciate knowing a bit more about your gathering, what to expect, when to be there, and if they need to bring anything.
Why is this green: You’ll be saving paper and a trip to the post office!
5. Save that Water
If at the end of the meal you notice there’s some water leftover in your guests’ glasses, combine them in a jar and use it to water your plants.
You can do this with infused water as well. Your plants will love it!
Why is this green: You are recycling water that otherwise would be wasted.
I hope you find these tips useful and that you can implement one or more during your Thanksgiving celebration.
Remember that when it comes to living sustainably, every little thing helps!
I’d love to hear what you do to make your gathering greener! Leave a comment below.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Much love,
Angélica Renée
