Eco-Friendly Holiday

More isn’t always better, especially when it comes to hosting an eco-friendly Thanksgiving or other holiday gatherings. While it’s tough to imagine there ever being too much pumpkin pie, the old adage “waste not, want not” offers great guidance during this season of celebration. No one wants the holidays to be woeful, so to guide you in your preparations for a gathering that’s less cost, less food waste and less garbage, here are a few waste-not hacks to send you on your eco-friendly way.

Give Guests A Zero Waste Heads-up

Hosting a zero waste celebration is a team sport. Let your guests know you’re planning an eco-friendly event from the outset and ask for help! Ask your guests to bring potluck contributions in reusable containers with lids (instead of foods packed in plastic clam shells or topped with plastic wrap) and reusable serving spoons. If you’re short of cutlery, dishes, cloth napkins, glasses, dessert plates or other reusables, avoid buying single-use items and instead ask your guests to bring reusables from home.

Right Size Your Portions

Running short of food at Thanksgiving is the last thing you’d want to do, but too many leftovers won’t fit in the fridge and can end up spoiling before they’re eaten. If you’re new to portion planning, try using “The Guest-Imator” app by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The app will guide you through simple Q&A and based on your answers, the app will suggest how many dishes to prepare and in what quantities.

Bulk Shop Specialty Ingredients

Seasonal dishes often call for specialty ingredients that you’re not apt to use for everyday meals. Whether it’s the dried cranberries and hazelnuts for the special salad or wild rice for the stuffing, what’s the chance you’ll be using leftovers of these ingredients? Probably low. Instead of buying pre-packaged ingredients in larger quantities than you need, buy just the amount called for in your recipes by shopping in bulk. Bring your own reusable ECOlunchbox containers, like our Blue Water Bento tins with tare weights etched on the bottom, or a mason jar from home.

Signage is Key

Hide the trash can. If they can’t find it, your guests will look for other options. Make signs for compost and recycling so people know what goes where. Guests will be happy to help if they know your system. Set up a labelled tub of soapy water for utensils or a DIY dishwasher loading station.

Stash Your Leftovers Free of Plastic!

Leftovers are the boon and bane of Thanksgiving. Plan ahead when it comes to leftovers so you have reusable containers and plastic-free options for keeping the extra food sealed and stored in your refrigerator. Have on hand plastic-free food storage options, such as stainless steel food containers, Mason jars and other glass containers with lids, beeswax fabric wraps, recycled aluminum foil and silicone bowl covers. If you’re gifting leftovers to your guests, ask them to bring their own reusable containers.

About Sandra Ann Harris

Sandra Ann Harris is the author of Say Goodbye To Plastic: A Survival Guide For Plastic-Free Living (Hatherleigh Press). Her passion is protecting the oceans by reducing people’s dependence on plastics. Her company ECOlunchbox, which she founded in 2008, innovates and sells high-quality, plastic-free food container solutions. She has a diverse background in business consulting, product development, investigative journalism, and digital marketing strategy, along with her work in the non-profit sector for a humanitarian aid organization. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.