Thanksgiving is a holiday that many overindulge in with food and decorations to please their guests. During the holidays, it is easy to make exceptions to some of the normal eco-friendly habits. However, the 3 R’s - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - need to be honored during the Thanksgiving holiday, too.
Let's explore some ways to celebrate a green and eco-friendly Thanksgiving.
Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving Tips
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Shop Local and Organic
One way to practice sustainable shopping this Thanksgiving is by going small or shopping locally. Support local businesses and small businesses. This will help support the local economy. Locally grown foods require fewer greenhouse gases, which is something the planet needs. You can add sustainability to this Thanksgiving by choosing only organic foods while shopping. Organic foods support organic farming, which is better for the environment as it eliminates the use of harmful chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides.
Read more: Sustainability in Marketing Strategies: How Can Brands Go Green
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Volunteer or Donate
Home-cooked meals and family traditions, connecting with loved ones, and that cozy feeling of holiday cheer – There are many reasons why Thanksgiving is considered one of the most beloved holidays. Volunteering your time and abilities or donating valuable goods can tremendously impact Thanksgiving. Consider donating your time and assisting local community establishments, like the food bank or soup kitchen. Consider donating packed food for Thanksgiving meals, assisting families visiting the food bank, and even cooking and serving dinner to those in need.
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Embrace Green Friday
Make this year's Thanksgiving sustainable by choosing Green Friday over Black Friday. Started as “Buy Nothing Day” in Canada in 1992, Green Friday was aimed at raising awareness about the negative impact of massive shopping habits. Today, Green Friday adheres to the same core principles but challenges consumers to shop for sustainable brands or not shop at all. Avoiding consumer purchases on Black Friday can further help reduce mass waste production. Take a moment to reflect before making a purchase. Ensure that what you buy can be used for months to come, not discarded into a massive landfill a few weeks down the line.
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Don't Eat with Your Eyes
The delicious smells of your Thanksgiving favorites can be all too encapsulating. However, be mindful of portion sizes when loading your plate to avoid any leftover scraps. Consider using smaller plates, drinking a glass of water before the meal, and eating slowly.
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Skip Paper Plate and Napkins
In addition to food scraps, a ton of material garbage is generated during the holidays. Replace paper plates, napkins, and single-use plastic utensils with reusable dishware and cutlery. While this requires more work and still consumes energy to run your dishwasher, you’ll conserve resources and reduce landfill waste.
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Remember the True History of Thanksgiving
As the name suggests, Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude for the people and blessings in our present lives. At the same time, it is equally important to understand the true history behind the holiday and realize the all-too-often unheard narratives and voices of Native Americans. By having the full picture, you can celebrate Thanksgiving respectfully and responsibly and develop a deeper appreciation for native communities and their contributions.
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Set a Timer for the Holiday Decor and Lighting
Holiday decor and lighting can consume a lot of energy. Reports have presented that the U.S. uses 66.3 billion kilowatt hours of electricity to run holiday lights – enough to power about 14 million refrigerators. Opt for energy-efficient LED lights for your home. Solar-powered holiday decorations are a green choice. Install a timer to run the lights to lower energy use and avoid the stress of forgetting to turn them off.
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Shop Mindfully
This Thanksgiving, practice mindfulness while shopping. Take a moment to think about the types of businesses you support and their impact on the environment. Are they creating sustainable business practices, and are they supporting their local communities? Being mindful of the purchasing choices is essential. Choose and financially support businesses prioritizing sustainability and a healthier planet for all.
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Skip the Black Friday Shopping
Everyone loves a good bargain, and if you or a loved one have been saving up for something, you cannot beat the Black Friday deals. Just remember the impact of this holiday shopping craze. Research has predicted that almost 80% of Black Friday purchases wind up in landfills. Some alternatives to shopping are creating handmade gifts, writing a heartfelt letter, providing an experience rather than a material item, or swapping second-hand gifts.
Read more: Eco-friendly Buildings on the Rise: Why Building Products Matter
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Decorate with Natural Materials
For those craving a creative touch, consider making the holiday decor out of natural materials. You can make a wreath from sticks and colored foliage, a pinecone centerpiece, or hanging dried fruit ornaments – the possibilities are endless. Pinterest can be your go-to place to find natural holiday decor and craft ideas.
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Go for Reusable Options
When cooking and dining this Thanksgiving, make the holiday more sustainable by using reusable items wherever possible. Create an eco-friendly holiday by choosing reusable dinnerware. This will help prevent single-use plastic or paper from ending up in the ecosystems and negatively impacting the environment.
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Take it with You
Sustainable behavior isn’t just for your home. Take your eco-friendly mindset back to work after the holiday. Talk with colleagues about the waste and recycling practices at the business. Enquire whether your organization recycles cardboard, plastic, aluminum, shrink wrap, and paper. Or does it waste money by having it hauled away and added to the waste stream? This will not only help the bottom line but will also boost the organization's image as an environmentally responsible business.
Read more: How to Reduce Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions: 10 Effective Ways
Final Thought
With proactive planning, make sure to reduce Thanksgiving waste. Home in on the items you need before heading to the store. This tactic will help you ensure you only buy what you need and do not fall victim to needless impulse purchases. Proactive planning can make it much easier for you to eliminate waste once the festivities are over.
This 2024, enjoy an eco-friendly Thanksgiving, but don't forget to practice environmental stewardship throughout the coming year. 
A leader in ESG Services, SG Analytics offers bespoke sustainability consulting services and research support for informed decision-making. Contact us today if you are in search of an efficient ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) integration and management solution provider to boost your sustainable performance.
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