Green Tips: Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Check out our tips below to find out how to make this holiday season more eco-friendly.

Travel smart 

• Not surprising, Thanksgiving travel has a larger carbon footprint than the dinner itself. If you have to travel for Thanksgiving, try to avoid using your gas-powered car for long trips: try carpooling with family or friends or renting an electric vehicle (EV). There are an increasing number of EV charging stations throughout the country. 
• Using public transportation is a great eco-option. Look into traveling by bus or train if you’re destination is close enough. 

“Green” your plate

• The carbon dioxide emissions from raising, transporting and cooking a 16-pound turkey equals the combined emissions from nearly all dinner sides, as well as the apple pie! In general, meat and animal products have a larger carbon footprint than plants, so consider introducing more plant-based options this holiday. 
• Avoid food waste by saving leftovers and putting on your plate only what you will eat. Americans throw away an astonishing 200 million pounds of turkey every year! Make sure you have enough containers to hand out to family and friends so everyone can take home leftovers. These eco-friendly Tupperware containers are a great option!
• Buy a locally-raised turkey! This is beneficial for a number of reasons: for one, transportation emissions are lower for local turkeys. Additionally, visiting a local farm to buy your turkey supports the local economy, and you can inquire about the use of sustainable or organic farming practices. 
• Shop at a local food market for all other Thanksgiving food necessities. Locally-grown fruits and vegetables are fresher and more nutrient-dense than the supermarket alternatives and will be a delicious addition to your holiday. 

Compost

• Be sure to compost your Thanksgiving food scraps!
• More than one third of all food produced in the United States is wasted – as in, never eaten, according to a 2021 report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the ripple-down impact of this shortfall is truly devastating for the environment.
• According to studies, food scraps in a landfill produce 20 times the amount of methane as composted food scraps. And methane is quite dangerous. It accounts for about 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, which is bad enough – but it is 25 times as destructive as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere, according to the EPA. 
• In New York City, whether they are high-rise residents in Midtown or homeowners in Staten Island, New Yorkers across the five boroughs are now required to separate their food scraps and yard waste from their trash for curbside pickup by the Department of Sanitation (DSNY). This was as longtime NYLCV priority. Visit this DSNY website for more information.
• Outside of the city, check with your local municipality about composting options, visit this interactive map for food scrap programs and facilities across the state, and check out this DEC website about how to compost at home.

Talk about the environment

• Consider using mealtime to discuss environmental issues that are important to you. Wonderful veggie recipes, hydro-power innovation, and new types of EV models are always great conversation starters! 
• Make sure you come prepared with statistics or tips when informing family members of sustainable practices or pressing environmental issues. 
• Don’t forget to give thanks to the planet that sustains us … even better when sharing gratitude with loved ones! 

Have a happy, safe, and sustainable Thanksgiving!