Green Thanksgiving Tips: How to Make Thanksgiving More Sustainable

Thanksgiving is in the air, and as we get ready to dress our turkey, we must not forget our commitment to sustainability. From using eco-friendly table decor to minimizing food waste and gifting sustainably, there are many ways to have a green Thanksgiving. And in this guide, we'll show you how.

Below are 8 ways to make Thanksgiving more sustainable.

8 Green Thanksgiving Tips to Have a More Sustainable Celebration

1. Use Sustainable Thanksgiving Decor

One of the best green Thanksgiving tips is to use sustainable Thanksgiving decor. Opt for block print tablecloths and table runners made from organic cotton or linen (cotton will help you save costs), which are more sustainable than synthetic fabrics. If your curtains need an update, consider going for block print curtains.

Use biodegradable materials like dried leaves, pinecones, and pumpkins to create green Thanksgiving centerpieces.

Finally, eco-friendly candles made from soy or beeswax are perfect for adding warmth and ambiance without the harmful byproducts of paraffin candles.

Pro tip: Be mindful with your Thanksgiving decor, as you don't want to go overboard and create more waste. Consider repurposing items you already have, such as mason jars and glass bottles as decorative accents. The goal is to make your Thanksgiving truly eco-conscious.

2. Eco-Friendly Table Setting

Choosing sustainable tableware and dinner settings is another step towards achieving an eco-friendly Thanksgiving. This year, consider ditching disposable plates, napkins, and cups for reusable ones.

While disposable paper towels may sound like the standard for holiday parties, reusable cloth napkins are more eco-friendly. They're reusable, helping you reduce waste and future expenditure. You can wash and reuse cotton cloth napkins for Christmas, New Year, and even your everyday family dinners. Plus, cloth napkins are more elegant.

Check out these sustainable Thanksgiving dinner napkins.

Here are some fun napkin folding ideas to spruce up your Thanksgiving table setting.

If you expect lots of guests, consider buying disposable bamboo plates and cutlery instead of plastic ones. Bamboo biodegrades fast.

3. Reduce Food Waste

To stay sustainable and minimize waste this Thanksgiving, write a grocery list of what you need and how many guests you expect. Then create a holiday meal plan.

Skip any dish you're unsure anyone will eat. Or make a very small portion. Also, compost inedible food scraps or leftovers.

This will help reduce your Thanksgiving waste.

30-40% of food supply in the US is wasted. Never eaten. During Thanksgiving, 200 million lbs. of food get tossed out. This isn't sustainable, as a lot of wildlife and other limited resources are consumed during food production. In fact, the food industry has the second-largest environmental impact, just below fossil fuels. It is a major contributor to climate change.

4. Shop Locally

One way to be more sustainable this Thanksgiving is to shop locally. Why?

Supporting local businesses helps boost your local economy. What's more, by shopping locally grown and organic foods, you support the farmers giving their all to supply us with fresh produce.

Plus, buying locally means the product takes less carbon emission to get to you, reducing your carbon footprint.

Shopping locally grown foods also promotes organic farming, thereby reducing environmental pollution from artificial processing and toxic chemicals.

5. Shop Consciously

This Thanksgiving, let's rethink the way we shop. Be mindful of the brands you buy from and how their practices affect the environment and their workers. Do they employ sustainable production? Are their products eco-friendly? Do they treat their workers fairly?

To make your Thanksgiving more conscious, shop from sustainable brands, buy only what you need, and consider how the item affects the environment. Most importantly, minimize plastic waste.

Shopping mindfully this holiday season can help reduce waste while financially supporting ethical businesses that care about sustainability and a healthier planet for us all.

6. More Veggies, Less Meat

More than 80 billion animals are killed each year for food. But hey, no Thanksgiving is complete without the turkey. And no, we're not asking you to ditch it. What you can do to have a green Thanksgiving this year is to replace one or two animal-based foods with plant-based ones.

If you're vegan or have some vegan friends, this is easier to pull off. So consider crafting an entirely plant-based dish for your vegan guests.

7. Buy Sustainable Gifts for Hosts

Thanksgiving isn’t really a gift-giving holiday, but if you want to thank your host for all the effort that goes into preparing the meal, a small, thoughtful gift is always appreciated. Sustainable Thanksgiving gifts for hosts include a bottle of wine, homemade pie, or a basket of fair-trade chocolate treats.

You can also go for something reusable, like cloth cocktail napkins, a spa and tea gift set, or a small plant. These kinds of gifts feel warm and practical, a mindful way to show gratitude without adding to waste.

Check out these under $50 sustainable gift ideas.

8. Donate, Donate, Donate

Lastly, what is Thanksgiving without sharing love? We have a lot to be grateful for. But we cannot ignore those who are in a less favorable situation than us.

From shelters to food pantries and orphanages, the needy are all around us.

You can donate your old clothes, extra food items, and leftover turkey. Imagine the smile you'll be putting on someone's face by so doing. This is another way to reduce waste during Thanksgiving.

A Little Step Goes a Long Way

It doesn't matter what your plan is for Thanksgiving. It's all about being mindful and conscious of how you go about it. Eat, party, and be merry, but doing so sustainably can go a long way.

If these tips seem hard to pull off, just consider how much money you'll save by buying only what's necessary and reusable.

Together, we can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable planet.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to make Thanksgiving more sustainable?

You can make Thanksgiving more sustainable by buying locally grown ingredients, reducing food waste, and decorating the table with reusable cotton napkins instead of disposable ones. Even simple actions like composting leftovers can make a big difference. Just try to minimize waste, and you've got a green Thanksgiving.

How can we make turkey more sustainable?

Choose a locally raised or pasture-fed turkey from a nearby farm. These usually have a smaller carbon footprint than factory-farmed ones, plus you reduce the CO2 released by long-distance transportation. If you can, buy only what you’ll eat or share leftovers to cut waste.

What is a good Thanksgiving gift?

Thoughtful, eco-friendly gifts like handmade candles, sustainable spa gift set, reusable kitchen linens, wine, dessert, or fair-trade chocolates make lovely Thanksgiving presents. They’re sustainable, practical, and beautifully personal.

What do you bring as a guest to Thanksgiving?

You don't necessarily need to attend Thanksgiving dinner with a gift, but if you really want to, great Thanksgiving gifts for host include: a bottle of wine, a homemade dish, a set of cocktail napkins, and zero waste gifts from ichcha. Gifts that reduce waste and show gratitude are always appreciated by hosts.

How to have a greener Thanksgiving?

Green Thanksgiving tips include planning ahead to avoid food waste, using real dishes instead of disposables, decorating with natural elements like leaves or real pumpkins, and supporting local farmers. A greener Thanksgiving starts with mindful choices that honor both people and the planet.