Thanksgiving is upon us. A time for gathering with family and friends, enjoying delicious food and giving thanks for everything you have.
Unfortunately, the holiday can be quite wasteful. As you contemplate all that you’re thankful for this year, here are a few ways to show your thanks to Mother Nature.
Use The Good Dishes
Typically, soiled products like paper plates, napkins and plastic cutlery are NOT recyclable.
By pulling out the reusable dishes, glasses, cutlery and napkins, not only will the party instantly look classy, you also won’t have to worry about gravy leaking through your paper plate.
Decorate with Fall Finds
No need for plastic or one-time-use seasonal décor. Take a nature walk in nearby Kains Woods or Warbler Woods. While you’re outside taking in the fresh fall air and beautiful scenery, scoop up some treasures to decorate your Thanksgiving table. Acorns, pinecones, branches, and leaves can be used in a variety of ways to create beautiful centerpieces. Mums and succulents are also widely available this time of year and make an excellent hostess gift.
Purchase Local and Organic Foods
Aside from being tastier, it’s also better for the environment as it requires less fossil fuels to be transported. If you stick to in-season produce you should be able to find it readily available at the local farmers markets for an affordable price. Tip – often if you go near the end of the day you can get a really great deal. Apples, pears and pumpkins are all great seasonal fruits to use for pie, while squash, broccoli, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts make fantastic side dish options.
Compost your Kitchen Scraps
It may seem like a small thing, but at West 5 we know that small changes can have a huge impact. By composting your kitchen scraps this Thanksgiving, not only are you keeping waste out of landfills, you’re also helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as decomposition in landfills creates methane, a greenhouse gas that’s 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
Prepare Less Food
Food waste is one of the biggest environmental struggles that comes with Thanksgiving.
In the West 5 Community, we’re on a minimal waste mission. We encourage you to plan for a zero-food-waste meal, a general rule of thumb is to supply one pound of food per person, not including dessert and drinks. If you get stuck with leftovers, don’t throw them away – freeze it for lunches, give it to a neighbour or take it into work for somebody else to enjoy.
Show thanks to the environment and farmers by buying only what you will eat and eating all that you buy.
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at West 5!
