​​Happy (Green) Holidays! Sustainable tips for this time of year

We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of the earth and sky and sea . . . and we pray that we may safeguard them for our posterity. — from Thanksgiving for the Beauty of the Earth, BCP p. 840.

Thanksgiving starts with appreciation of God’s bounty through the fruits of the earth but as we continue into the busy holiday season, let us remember to think about the environmental and social impacts of our celebrations. Here are some tips to help us be good stewards of the environment as we share the joys of the season!

Eat Green! Buy local, in-season produce and include more plant-based dishes to cut transportation and food emissions. Atypical 20-pound turkey produces roughly 64 pounds of CO2. TreeHugger has a great Vegan Guide to Thanksgiving that includes savory dishes.

• Eat Green! Buy local, in-season produce and include more plant-based dishes to cut transportation and food emissions. A typical 20-pound turkey produces roughly 64 pounds of CO2; Treehugger.com has great vegan ideas.
• Plan well. Coordinate who is bringing what to avoid waste.
• Don’t eat with your eyes. Resist the impulse to overfill your plate — and toss what you couldn’t eat.
• Stick with real and reusable. Skip the paper plates and napkins. Store leftovers in reusable containers, and don’t forget to freeze before you toss.
• Compost food scraps.
• Donate extras. Local food banks welcome unopened cans and boxes,
• Shop mindfully on Black Friday. According to the Green Alliance, as much as 80 percent of items bought on Black Friday are thrown away after a few or no uses — because someone succumbed to the allure of a “great deal.”
• Pack light. In the U.S., waste increases by 25 percent between Black Friday and the New Year — mostly because of plastic and paper packaging.
• Travel together. Public transportation and carpools to holiday gatherings reduce your carbon footprint and offer the chance of a good conversation with family and friends..
• Set a timer and watch the watts! Choose LED Christmas lights for your tree and roof. Try solar-powered decorations. Install a timer to turn it all off and a smart power strip to further eliminate standby energy loss.
• Decorate with natural materials. A wreath of sticks and foliage, a pinecone centerpiece – be creative! Check out SustainMyCraftHabit.com for ideas and instructions.
• Be cool! Turn the thermostat and break out the holiday sweaters. If its balmy, consider eating outside

Adapted from the Green Business Bureau article found at https://greenbusinessbureau.com/green-practices/15-sustainable-tips-for-a-green-thanksgiving/