Think 'green' on Thanksgiving
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Use a canvas bag to carry your Thanksgiving groceries home from the supermarket, and if possible, buy turkeys that are grown without the use of hormones and antibiotics.
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November 22, 1999
Web posted at: 2:40 p.m. EST (1940 GMT)
Thanksgiving: For many, this word conjures up happy images of big meals and relaxing with friends and relatives.
As Nov. 25 fast approaches, some environmentally oriented non-profit organizations and companies would like to remind all holiday revelers to think "green" as they prepare for this favorite of celebrations.
"This is the time of year when people are thinking about all they have to be thankful for, so it's the perfect time to take easy steps that will help the environment, which has given us so much," said Elizabeth Sturcken, a policy analyst for the Environmental Defense Fund.
To help you keep the Earth in mind before, during and after turkey day, here are some tips to consider from the EDF:
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When heading to the supermarket, don't forget to bring along a reusable canvas or string bag for carrying out your groceries.
If possible, buy turkeys that are grown without the use of hormones and antibiotics.
Shop for items that use the least amount of packaging, and look for packaging that uses recycled and post-consumer content.
Whenever possible, purchase produce that is grown locally, since less energy is expended to transport it to your grocery store. Look for organic foods as well.
Though big Thanksgiving feasts can translate into a lot of cleaning up, don't be tempted by plastic utensils or paper plates, napkins and tablecloths. Not only is it much more festive to use your favorite plates, silverware, napkins and tablecloths, it also means that less waste ends up in the landfill.
Don't forget to recycle as much as you can when cleaning up over the long weekend, including glass, aluminum and plastic beverage containers, as well as tinfoil used in cooking.
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Be sure to stock up on reusable containers to store your leftovers after Thanksgiving dinner as well as after other meals year 'round.
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Consider donating your leftovers to a shelter for those less fortunate.
If you plan to keep your leftovers, be sure to have plenty of reusable food containers on hand for after the meal. "Stock up on reusable food containers that can save resources all year long," said Sturcken.
Don't forget to add Thanksgiving food scraps to your compost pile. If you do not have a compost pile, now is as good a time as any to get started.
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. "Considering the usual Thanksgiving traffic, public transportation may be the quickest way to get where you are going, while minimizing pollution," said Sturcken. "If you take the car, carpooling is the best way to go, and a good way to spend time with family and friends."
MotherNature.com, an online retailer of vitamins, supplements, minerals and other natural and healthy living products, suggests that turkey cooks line their roasting tray with silicon coated parchment paper, and wrap their turkey with natural cotton cheesecloth. While helping keep the juices and flavor in, both products also are free of chlorine, which can eventually end up in and pollute the water supply.
Copyright 1999, Environmental News Network, All Rights Reserved
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