Dear Eartha, I love Thanksgiving – the food, the time with loved ones, and the tradition of gathering around the table. But as I stood in the grocery store aisle staring at a mountain of turkeys, I began to wonder about the environmental impact of this holiday. What is the impact of Thanksgiving dinner and how can I make it better next year?
A celebration for reflection
Thanksgiving: The day we stack our plates, share stories with our loved ones, and maybe argue about whether canned cranberry sauce is considered a delicacy. It’s a day of gratitude, family and yes – food coma. For me, this includes my puppy reluctantly wearing his turkey leg hat and waiting for leftover food to fall off the table.
But have you ever thought about what’s really on your plate? Especially the star of the show – the turkey. Every Thanksgiving, Americans roast, roast or bake an estimated 46 million turkeys, leaving a larger environmental footprint than we realize.
46 million turkeys walk into a bar
Let’s talk turkey. Although it is less carbon intensive than beef or lambThe production of meat requires resources such as land, water, feed and energy. Going from farm to table is no easy task; The average Thanksgiving turkey travels over 1,500 miles to reach your plate. A 20-pound bird produces about 64 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO).2) emissions, about the same as driving 72 miles by car.
And that’s just the bird. The average Thanksgiving meal for 12 people produces about 103 pounds of carbon emissions when you include side dishes, desserts and drinks. After the festival, food waste piles up. Every Thanksgiving, Americans throw away an estimated 305 million pounds of food wasteMuch of it ends up in landfills, where it emits methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than CO2.
Then there is travel. Whether it’s a road trip or a flight, holiday travel often contributes more to Thanksgiving’s carbon footprint than the meal itself. But visiting loved ones is important and there are ways to make it more sustainable.
Devour responsibly
Here’s the good news: You don’t have to give up turkey or your beloved traditions to make a difference. With a little planning and thoughtful decisions, you can host a more sustainable Thanksgiving—or your next holiday gathering—next year, and maybe even inspire others at your table.
- Buy local and grass-fed: Support Colorado farmers and choose a locally raised, pastured turkey. These birds often have a smaller ecological footprint, a better life and shorter routes to your table.
- Cook what you need: Resist the urge to overdo it. For generous, zero-waste portions, plan on about a pound of turkey per person.
- Incorporate plant-based options: A few hearty vegetarian side dishes can complement the meal and lessen the overall impact of your feast.
- Love your leftovers: Transform leftovers into creative new meals. Use turkey bones as broth and incorporate additional meat into sandwiches, soups, or pies. Freeze what you won’t be able to eat soon and share the leftovers with guests in reusable containers.
- Compost kitchen waste: Instead of throwing potato peelings and turkey bones into the landfill, take advantage of Summit County’s free and convenient composting options.
- Avoid disposable items: Opt for real plates and cloth napkins instead of disposable items. Encourage your guests to bring reusable containers for leftovers instead of using plastic bags.
- Be Efficient in the Kitchen: If your oven or stove needs an upgrade, consider energy-efficient models that use less electricity and reduce emissions over time.
- Travel smarter: Vacations aren’t always negotiable, but you can make them more eco-friendly. Carpool with friends or family to reduce emissions, or combine trips when possible. Fly? Consider carbon offset programs to offset your travel footprint.
Gratitude meets sustainability
Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude – not just for the food on our plates and the people around us, but also for the planet that feeds us. Small, thoughtful changes don’t mean you have to miss out on the joy of vacation; It just adds another layer of meaning to the celebration.
So as we begin this holiday season, let’s take a moment to be grateful for the food we eat, the resources used to grow it, and the people who produce it. Together, we can honor these celebrations while working toward a more sustainable future, one delicious bite at a time.
“Ask Eartha Steward” was written by the staff of the High Country Conservation Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to waste reduction and resource conservation. Send questions to Eartha at info@highcountryconservation.org.
