Give Thanks to the Planet with a Green Thanksgiving

How to Green Your Thanksgiving

When it comes to choosing a Thanksgiving bird, Tofurkey (a turkey substitute made from tofu) is the best choice for the environment. If you can't imagine turkey day without the turkey, go organic.

"Organic farming is less chemical-intensive and much more eco-friendly than factory farming operations," says Honor Schauland, campaign assistant with the Organic Consumers Association. "Look for turkeys that are labeled organic, hormone-free and free range and, if possible, choose a turkey from a local farm. The farmers market is a good place to start."

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Thanksgiving is a great excuse to set the table with the good china and cloth napkins. Opting for plates and napkins that can be washed – not tossed – after dinner is the best choice for the environment. To have the least impact on the planet, wash the napkins in cold water and use phosphate-free dish detergent to scrub the cranberry sauce from the dishes.

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Think twice before scrubbing your treasured silver serving pieces with conventional silver polish. Most store-bought silver polishes contain harsh chemicals like ammonia that are great for getting silver to shine but are not so good for the environment. Opt for white toothpaste instead. Squeeze a drop of toothpaste on your finger and rub it onto the silver for instant polish. It's a less expensive alternative that isn't harmful to the environment.

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The most traditional Thanksgiving decoration – the cornucopia – is also the most eco-friendly. For a centerpiece, fill a reusable cornucopia with organic gourds and mini pumpkins that can be composted after your holiday celebration.

When it comes to flowers, "The options can be a bit limited but there are a small number of growers scattered around the country and some online retailers selling organic flowers," says Schauland. "Organic and local flowers are the most environmentally-friendly options, you just have to get creative when it comes to finding them. Ask the local florist, look at the farmers market or cut a bouquet from the fall blooms in your backyard." We also like Flowerbud.com for farm-fresh flowers.

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Soy candles are made from natural ingredients and last longer than conventional paraffin candles. They also put 90 percent less soot into the environment than paraffin candles but are just as effective for setting a festive mood at the Thanksgiving dinner table.

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It's hard to imagine a Thanksgiving celebration without a toast. This season, raise a glass to the environment, too. "Choose wines that are sustainable and organic (the wines don't have to be certified organic but should be made with organic grapes)," says Gretchen Roberts, wine expert and founder of Vinobite.com. "Ask your wine store clerk for help with finding good brands."

Be sure to look for wine bottles with real corks. The plastic stoppers and twist-off caps that are used in some wine bottles can't be recycled. Cork is a renewable resource that is both biodegradable and recyclable.

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After a day of entertaining, your kitchen probably looks like the site of a natural disaster. As tempting as it may be clean as you go, resist the urge to put piping hot leftovers in the fridge. The steam from your stuffing and gravy will raise the temperature in the refrigerator, making it work harder to stay cool. Go ahead and enjoy an extra slice of pumpkin pie – and a few hours away from the kitchen – before putting the leftovers in the fridge.

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It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without leftovers. Once all of the meat has been salvaged for turkey sandwiches, use the remains of the turkey to make soup. Simply boil the turkey carcass in a pot of water with carrots, onions, celery and salt until the stock turns golden brown. Add pieces of leftover turkey and serve piping hot. It's one of the most delicious ways to recycle.

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Reduce, reuse, recycle are the hallmarks of green living and are especially important during the holidays. Reduce the amount of waste by looking for foods with limited packaging and eating leftovers instead of tossing them in the trash; reuse decorations from past years; and recycle everything from wine bottles to aluminum foil after the guests have gone home.

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Whether you're going to grandma's house for Thanksgiving dinner or spending the evening at a potluck with friends, talk to other guests about sharing a ride. Carpooling helps reduce your carbon footprint by decreasing fuel consumption and reducing the release of toxic exhaust gases. It's also an opportunity to commiserate about having to listen to grandpa's off-color jokes and gossip about the gaudy turkey appliqué on Aunt Maude's holiday sweater on the way home.

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