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Any ideas for a green Thanksgiving?

post #1 of 4
Thread Starter 
The big T-day is coming up.  We usually stay pretty local (rather than traveling far and wide) so that's a start to having an eco-friendly Thanksgiving.  And of course, not having a turkey is another way....but does anyone know if there are organic turkeys?  Not sure if the rest of the family would be willing to give it up.

Any other ideas?
post #2 of 4
Welcome Peter and also, it's like you're a mind reader - I was just going to post on green Thanksgiving ideas...

Go organic: The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) “Approves ‘‘free range’’ raising claims on the labels of poultry products if the producer demonstrates that the birds were allowed continuous, free access to the outside for over 51% of their lives through a normal growing cycle.” HOWEVER Free Range does not relate to chemicals. It's best to look for a local, “USDA Organic,” not “Free-range” turkeys. Local because less shipping, plus you'll have more luck finding an organic bird if you go local.

You can also easily buy organic for most of the rest of your meal. To cut costs, buy the most important foods (or the most pesticide ridden) first, then if you can afford it, buy others. Plus you can share the costs of the meal with everyone coming so that you can afford the best of the best for Thanksgiving.

Green lighting: On the table use soy candles which are far better than wax candles for your family and the environment and burn longer too. Evergreen Candleworks makes organic soy candles. You can also recycle your old cans and make your own holiday luminaries.

Use real table gear: It's silly to pull out paper plates and napkins at any time during the year, but more so even on the holidays. Use cloth tablecloths and napkins, and real dishes. If you want a special set of dishes on the cheap check out your local thrift store.

Decorate with nature: Make a homemade fall holiday wreath from found nature objects. You can also have your kids make decorations with homemade recycled paper.

Greener flowers: If you're having flowers on your table, get them locally and organic, from your own garden (if you have any late blooms), or as a second best option check out online organic flower retailers like Organic Bouquet and California Organic Flowers.

For more green Thanksgiving tips check out Celebrate Green.

Anyone have any other ideas? 
post #3 of 4
These are great ideas!  Any thoughts on greening your travel (other than not going)?  Luckily my family is all pretty much in town so we can get together with very minimal driving and zero flying (accept for my brother but he'll be celebrating up in his neck of the woods instead).  Buying carbon offsets?  I certainly don't want to encourage folks to miss seeing their families!
post #4 of 4
Well, staying put is the greenest move you can make. After that packing a few friends or family members into a hybrid is the greenest in terms of actual emissions. After that, I'd guess flying is the second greenest if you calculate and offset your carbon. I don't like encouraging folks to miss family stuff either, but overall, visiting family only on the holidays is a little overrated IMO. Why not visit at another time of year that's less busy and less expensive. Family is family all year round, you know.
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