The holidays are already expensive, but it’s most importantly a time to give thanks, share, empathize with the world, and treat your loved ones and yo-self. And you can do all of these while also making your holiday events more sustainable. So here are 10 lifehacks to help you cut down on plastic, waste, and energy use during the holidays.
1. Invest in glass tupperware
Here at Global Citizen we recently took on a challenge to cut down on plastic. This challenge left me with an investment in glass tupperware which I will definitely be using for the holidays and beyond. Now’s the perfect time to get some yourself, because you know there’s always leftovers from food festivities like Thanksgiving. Or better yet, save some jars and make your own.
2. Make it fancy
Instead of using paper napkins, the holidays are a good chance to make your dinner or event a little more fancy by using (and reusing) cloth napkins. Especially since the amount of household waste in the US increases by 25 percent during the holiday season (end of November through January 1st!)
3. Make it real
As we also discovered during our plastic challenge, eliminating plastic from your life is incredibly difficult, and often requires getting creative and even bizarre with ideas. Here’s a way to cut down on plastic table decor: set the table with beautiful surroundings from nature. Fall leaves instead of plastic or store bought arrangements are very DIY Pinterest chic.
4. Play outside
One of the best things about the holidays is they bring together family and friends, which makes it the perfect opportunity to unplug from smartphones and get some fresh air. Not only does physical activity help you stay healthy, but you can literally unplug the house too and cut down on carbon emissions. The holidays are another high time for electricity use, so if you can go move around outside it will help balance out how much is used during the holidays.
5. Compost
With the extra waste that can creep up on you around the holidays, creating a compost system, or finding a compost service nearby will help decrease how much trash goes to landfills. You could also use that compost later and plant those holiday flowers and trees you might have gotten as a gift.
6. Check your labels
Holiday shopping can be stressful, especially at large supermarkets. It’s easy to become flustered and grab the closest, least expensive food item on your list. Working the maze of transparency in food labeling is not easy, even understanding free-range and organic can be complicated. But knowledge and empowerment when it comes to purchasing food during the holidays is important for making your meal more sustainable. It’s one of the first steps to understanding your choices. Knowing which labels mean what can also help you figure out where to save and cut costs. Hint: Kabocha squash tastes a lot like pumpkin, but costs a lot less.
7. Celebrate (food) diversity
Thanksgiving is about sharing and being grateful and a lot of goodwill goes around. But it’s often a holiday centered on one massive meal. True, there is comfort in traditional foods for Thanksgiving such as turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, etc. but if you’re one of those people who falls into the category of not even liking turkey (“it’s too dry”) the rest of the year, this is your chance to introduce your loved ones to some unique foods. By doing this you can help preserve food diversity, too. Inviting diverse and even threatened food species to your holiday dinner reminds people of the variety of nature. Supporting small farmers who are working to keep these unique veggies and fruits around is a great way to include sustainability into your festivities. Plus, check out these apples!
8. Talk to your farmers
Going off of diversity, local farmers’ markets provide a range of sustainable food options year round. Plus, in my opinion, strolling through a farmers’ market is much less stressful than a packed supermarket or Whole Foods. You can also talk to the real people who grew the food you’re purchasing. And any of the questions you have when reading labels can all be answered by local vendors. And because Thanksgiving foods in the US involve native plant species, you can often find the roots, veggies, and fruits you need if you are going the traditional recipe route.
9. Splurge on a sustainable turkey
An organic, properly fed turkey can cost a lot more than the less expensive alternative. But there’s a big difference in sustainability and quality that you don’t see in the price tag. Americans consume 46 million turkeys each year on Thanksgiving. Mass producing this many turkeys does not always happen in a way that is good for poultry workers, turkeys, or you. So if you can afford to purchase a small farm raised turkey through a reliable source, you will help improve human rights for poultry workers, and can spur ethical change in industrial production. If these turkeys are already sold out (as some sell out a month before Thanksgiving) you can opt for another main dish. Chef Isa Bourbon recommends trying rabbit. I suggest duck, squab, or another form of sustainable ethically sourced bird or game. Or you can try one to mold a turkey from tofu like this person.
10. Ditch the whole thing and volunteer
One of my most memorable Thanksgivings was when my family and I decided not to have a Thanksgiving dinner of our own. Instead, we signed up for a shift at the Organic Soup Kitchen. The soup kitchen served Thanksgiving meals to transient and homeless people, and those who could not afford a meal. They also served pick-up orders for people who could not afford meals but wanted to have dinner in their homes or had sick family members. One of the best parts--all dishes were prepared from scratch with fresh local ingredients from the farmers’ market and donated from local farms.
First, it was by far the best meal I’ve had (sorry grandma). Second, it was the strongest sense of community I’ve ever felt on Thanksgiving. Plus, volunteering means less mess, cleanup and you’ll save a lot so you can buy some goats come #givingtuesday.
BONUS: Recipe
For your dairy-free, gluten-free super sustainable self (or friends) here’s a recipe for Kabocha squash pie that might look something like this if you’re lucky.
Each of these “lifehacks” for a more sustainable event, whether it’s Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or any holiday you choose to celebrate helps with Global Goal 13: Climate Action. Carbon footprints tend to grow around the holidays, and staying aware of the little tips and tricks that can reduce your own consumption during the holidays will make a difference in creating world where everyone has access to sustainable options in all aspects of life.
In addition, you can help create a sustainable future where everyone receives fair wages. You can go to TAKE ACTION NOW and raise your voice for safe working conditions for American poultry workers.