Last month I wrote about some eco-friendly ways to celebrate Halloween this year. So for November I’d like to share some tips on going green for Thanksgiving. Let’s give our planet something to be thankful for by beginning a family tradition this year that helps lower our carbon footprint and improves the Earth as a whole.

#1 – stay home!

Since the day before Thanksgiving stands as the busiest travel days of the year, you can do your part by avoiding the chaos altogether. Although you may have family members all over the country, and Thanksgiving is a day to be with the ones you love, skip the stressful traveling this year and lower carbon emissions as well. If you must head somewhere else to celebrate, drive with other relatives in a car pool.

#2 – eat locally grown, organic food

Food that does not need to be packaged for a maximum shelf life tastes better and requires less fuel to reach the store. Locally grown food contributes to the economy of your county for farmers and merchants alike. Making an organic meal cuts down on pesticides and fertilizers used on your veggies. The food is healthier and better for the environment – not to mention organic farming prevents erosion, increase soil fertility, and produces higher yields.

#3 – make your own decorations

Instead of going out and buying that massive plastic cornucopia that’s been shipped half way across the world from China, use some construction paper, shoebox, pipe cleaners and glue to make your own Thanksgiving diorama! Clay can be used to sculpt a Thanksgiving scene, and watercolor paints can bring it to life. Use cornhusks and other food to decorate your house and set up that Thanksgiving mood!

#4 – recycle!

Self-explanatory and taking little effort, recycling is always an easy way to help the Earth and be more eco-responsible. Thanksgiving produces plastic, paper, glass, and all sorts of recyclable waste – so be sure to put them in their proper barrels or bring to the supermarket or local recycling center! Opting for reusable bags instead of plastic when buying all the Thanksgiving food is an easy step in the right direction too. Lastly, try not to buy excess food! I know it may be hard to envision, but by not over indulging and letting extra food go to waste will help the planet in the long run.

So for Turkey Day this year, utilize these tips and create your own to help fight global warming, improve our planet, and still stuff your face with friends, family, and food.

Matt Moretti is a Project Manager at Mom Central Consulting and on Thanksgiving afternoon can be found snoozing on the couch, listening to the sweet sounds of American tackle football.

Mom Central