12 Easy Ways to Green Your Turkey Day

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The holiday season begins with Thanksgiving…but I’m already seeing more Christmas propaganda than Thanksgiving. Geez.

In our society, this is usually a time of excess, though it doesn’t have to be.

Be sure to think green as you celebrate Thanksgiving and the harvest.

Here are 12 fun and ridiculously easy tips that I’ve put into practice as I celebrate the bountiful harvest.

 

1. Clean Green:
   Instead of cleaning your home for Thanksgiving company with dangerous, chemical based, store bought products, why not get that house spic and span with items already in your cupboard?
2. 100 Mile Thanksgiving Feast:
   Buy all the fixings for your Thanksgiving dinner at your local farmer’s market or directly from a farmer. Everything from vegetables to bread and even fresh turkeys can be found within 100 miles of your home. If you can’t find a local farmer that sells turkeys, check at your local produce and meat market or a butchers. Buying locally prevents produce and meat from having to be transported to your area.
3. No One Likes Carcinogens, No Matter How Nice They Smell:
   Use beeswax or soy candles. These are great alternatives to petroleum based candles.
4. Send Thanksgiving eCards:
   Mailing cards causes excess paper in landfills and it takes gas for the cards to be delivered. You could make your own free Thanksgiving eCard slideshow or just send one of the many great Thanksgiving eCards available at Care2.
5. Decorate With Items From Nature:
   Nature does provide the best decorations…especially for fall. This was the custom a century ago and it brings warmth, texture and color into your home. Acorns, pinecones, popcorn, cranberries and other items can be collected along he side of rural roads and trails. Once you have collected these items, place them in your oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit to rid them of any pests that might be living inside. Check out more ideas for bringing the outdoors indoors from Care2.
6. Bust Out the Good China:
   Don’t use paper plates or plastic flatware that will end up in the landfill. It can takes 1000 years for a plastic fork to biodegrade. Don’t know how to properly set the table? Here’s some help.
7. Roll Up The Sleeves:
   Wash pots and pans by hand. Washing them in the dishwasher exposes them to chemicals that will cause them to wear more quickly. Take care of your cookware, and it’ll take care of you.
8. Who Said It’s Too Cold for the Pool?
   Suggest that your Thanksgiving guests form a carpool to minimize vehicle pollution…see it’s not too cold.
9. Serve Up Some Local Brew:
   Serve beer and wine that has been made locally. Buy quantity to minimize container waste. Or, if you prefer, you could even brew your own beer and wine.
10. Be Generous With Your Schwetty Balls:
    If you find you’ve prepared too much food, keep enough leftovers for your family and send the rest home with guests. This keeps waste to a minimum. If you still have too much, give it to those less materially fortunate.
11. Those Who Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail:
    Place all items to be roasted or baked into the oven at the same time. This will conserve a ton of energy.
12. Recycle (No Brainer, huh?):
    Recycle glass, paper and plastic items that you use. Scraps could even be placed in a compost heap.

Use these tips to enjoy a green Thanksgiving. What are some other ways we could green our Thanksgiving holiday?