Thanksgiving is another cherished tradition with a massive carbon footprint. According to the University of Manchester, a Thanksgiving dinner for eight is responsible for 44 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. Sixty percent of that comes from the turkey alone.
Yet it is unlikely we will give up our 'belly-buster' holiday. We can, however, consider any number of ways to cut down on our climate change, environmental degrading profile on this splendid day. Here are 56 ideas to ponder.
88 Use paper cups not plastic cups
117 Only wash full loads in the dishwasher
160 Use metal and ceramic baking dishes instead of aluminum foil
168 Don’t pre-rinse your dishes before washing in dishwasher Read more
170 Check your oven through glass door without opening it
252 Use reusable napkins
257 Use the correct burners on your stove
283 Using the rinse hold setting on your dishwasher Read more
289 Don't put stuff in the fridge that doesn't need to be there Read more
364 Bake several dishes at same time if you can Read more
547 Use pressure cooker whenever possible. They cook quickly use less energy Read more
548 Foods and vegetables will take less time to cook if they are cut into small pieces.
549 Foods will cook faster & use less energy if you put lids on the pots and pans Read more
663 Don’t wash dishes with the water running continuously
667 Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and cling wrap
678 Keep oils, fats and grease from going down kitchen sink
792 Cover liquids and food so they don't give off moisture in fridge Read more
797 Keep range-top burners and reflectors clean so they radiate better Read more
888 Things cook faster in real convection oven Read more
969 Use cast iron skillets instead of Teflon coated ones Read more
1012 Turn off oven early and cook with residual heat
1013 Air thaw your foods
1026 Heat leftovers with micro wave or toaster not oven
1051 Buy reusable coffee filters for the coffee pot
1076 Use tea strainers instead of tea bags
1201 Eat a locally grown Turkey
1208 Wash dishes with cleaning cloths and scrubbers instead of plastic
1347 Don't fly somewhere for Thanksgiving - stay close to home
1460 Use a "Guest-Imator" to plan Thanksgiving dinner Read More
1513 Be reasonable with your menu and shopping list
1514 Borrow cookers and dishes instead of buying
1515 Have a vegetarian Thanksgiving Read More
1516 Send leftovers home with people
1517 Carpool to get to Thanksgiving dinner
1519 Have dinner at family member's home most central to others to reduce travel
1520 Prepare fewer foods or smaller amounts to reduce waste
1523 Borrow a roasting pan instead of using aluminum throw away pans
1524 Tell people about your eco-friendly ideas for Thanksgiving
1525 Look for USDA Certified Organic Label on your Turkey
1529 DIY Make candle holders out of gourds
1531 DIY Decorate with nature
1532 DIY Have the kids make the Thanksgiving decorations Read More
1549 DIY Use baking soda and vinegar to clean your Thanksgiving drain
1689 Do an original Thanksgiving - have it with neighbors instead of travel
1690 Go meatless for Thanksgiving
1691 At Thanksgiving go paperless.
1692 Great time to compost or use a compost service
1693 Use your convection settings on the oven
1694 After thanksgiving dinner clean oven by hand to save energy
1695 Don't forget to lower the thermostat if you have lots of people for thanksgiving
1696 Use the microwave instead of the oven when possible
1698 Buy a Tofurky for your non-meat-eaters Read More
1699 Use non-toxic cleaners to get ready for your guests at Thanksgiving
1700 Serve tap water at Thanksgiving
1701 Use soy or vegetable wax candles for decoration
Happy Thanksgiving!