Friday, September 28, 2012
If you're reading this from Canada then
you've probably already started thinking about your Thanksgiving Day
plans. If you're in America, you've still got plenty of time but it never hurts to plan ahead.
Regardless, most families have their own unique traditions that they stick to year after year but there's no harm in shaking things up a little with a few eco-friendly improvements. Check out these 5 tips on how to encorporate a little green into your fun filled festivities:
Support local farmers: Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks for a bountiful fall harvest. This year why not express your gratitude by supporting your local growers and producers? In doing so you'll be helping small businesses in your area and reducing your carbon footprint. Remember, the less distance your food has to travel to get to you the better for the environment. Plus it tastes that much better when it's fresh!
Choose a free-range bird: Many families look forward to a roasted turkey dinner on Thanksgiving. Make it all the more special with an organic free-range turkey or chicken. Farms that practice sustainable agriculture decrease their chemical run-off by reducing their use of chemical fertilizers and non-organic animal feed.
Carpool: If you plan on doing any traveling this holiday season, consider using a carpooling service like Amigo Express. Or if you're not keen on the idea of sharing a car with people you've never met before, ask around amongst your friends to see if anyone you know is going your way. If you must fly, most airline companies now offer the option to purchase carbon credits to help offset some of the emissions.
Shop green: While making your purchases for the big event, don't forget to bring along your re-usable grocery bags. Another tip is to avoid products that are wrapped in non-recyclable packaging.
Use re-usable dishes: If you're catering to a large group then you may be tempted to purchase disposable dishes and napkins. Resist the urge and stick to real dishes and cloth napkins. Not only does this look nicer but it's one of the easiest ways to cut back on excess waste. If you're the head chef, I recommend pouring yourself a glass of wine and assigning the clean-up duties to your appreciative family!
Regardless, most families have their own unique traditions that they stick to year after year but there's no harm in shaking things up a little with a few eco-friendly improvements. Check out these 5 tips on how to encorporate a little green into your fun filled festivities:
Support local farmers: Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks for a bountiful fall harvest. This year why not express your gratitude by supporting your local growers and producers? In doing so you'll be helping small businesses in your area and reducing your carbon footprint. Remember, the less distance your food has to travel to get to you the better for the environment. Plus it tastes that much better when it's fresh!
Choose a free-range bird: Many families look forward to a roasted turkey dinner on Thanksgiving. Make it all the more special with an organic free-range turkey or chicken. Farms that practice sustainable agriculture decrease their chemical run-off by reducing their use of chemical fertilizers and non-organic animal feed.
Carpool: If you plan on doing any traveling this holiday season, consider using a carpooling service like Amigo Express. Or if you're not keen on the idea of sharing a car with people you've never met before, ask around amongst your friends to see if anyone you know is going your way. If you must fly, most airline companies now offer the option to purchase carbon credits to help offset some of the emissions.
Shop green: While making your purchases for the big event, don't forget to bring along your re-usable grocery bags. Another tip is to avoid products that are wrapped in non-recyclable packaging.
Use re-usable dishes: If you're catering to a large group then you may be tempted to purchase disposable dishes and napkins. Resist the urge and stick to real dishes and cloth napkins. Not only does this look nicer but it's one of the easiest ways to cut back on excess waste. If you're the head chef, I recommend pouring yourself a glass of wine and assigning the clean-up duties to your appreciative family!
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