5 Ways To Have An Environmentally Sustainable Thanksgiving

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Nov 15

Thanksgiving has always been about gratitude. If you’re here, it’s probably because you have gratitude for the natural world, a love for traditions, and a responsibility to the planet that provides that bounty, to the people who grow and harvest it, and to the future generations who will inherit this shared home.

This year, let’s lean into that spirit with a Thanksgiving that honours not just abundance, but sustainability. Here are five practical, meaningful ways to do that—each one aligning with our commitment to circular-economy thinking, waste-reduction, and more planet-friendly living.

1. Introduce More Planet-Based Meal Options

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Meat-heavy meals have long been central to the Thanksgiving tradition, but farming and transporting animal-based protein comes with a large environmental footprint. Studies show that reducing meat consumption for a meal like this is one of the most high-impact ways to lower carbon emissions.

What this looks like in practice:

Offer a rich main dish that is entirely plant-based—think lentil loaf, mushroom-winter-squash bake, or stuffed root vegetables—while still celebrating the season’s flavors.
Even if you keep a turkey or meat option, balance the plate with more vegetable-centric sides: roasted Brussels sprouts, local squash medley, wild-rice pilaf with autumn herbs, and so on.
Source in-season, local produce to cut down on "food miles" and packaging, and to support regional farmers.

Why this matters:
By shifting the focus a bit away from traditional heavy-meat mains and toward more plant-rich plates, you lower not only your meal’s carbon footprint but also open up creativity and welcome a broader set of dietary preferences—including guests who might be vegetarian or vegan.

2. Plan for Food Waste (Before, During & After)

When it comes to sustainability, food waste is a hidden giant. According to the World Wildlife Fund, Americans throw away hundreds of millions of pounds of food around Thanksgiving, with huge environmental costs.

Here’s how to reduce waste in three stages:

Before: Estimate how many guests you’ll have, what each will likely eat, and plan accordingly. Avoid overbuying. Tools like guest estimators can help.
During: Serve consciously. Use smaller plates, encourage guests to wait for seconds, provide appropriate portion sizes and make it easy for people to take modest servings.
After:

Have reusable containers ready for leftovers—or ask guests to bring their own.
Freeze extra food you won’t eat immediately.
Compost vegetable scraps, bread crusts, fruit peels (while avoiding bones and large meat scraps unless you have the right system).
Donate unopened, shelf-stable goods to a local food bank if you end up with extras.

Why this matters:
Food waste is wasted energy, water, and labour—not to mention land and ecosystems. By planning ahead and managing leftovers, you close the loop on your meal, honouring both the ingredients and the hands that brought them to your table.

3. Choose Linen (or Reusable) Napkins Instead of Single-Use Paper

Small details often add up. According to several guides on sustainable holiday hosting, skipping the disposable paper napkins (and even the single-use plates and cutlery) can reduce waste significantly.

Steps you can take:

Set the table with cloth or linen napkins. Choose colours and fabrics that you can reuse year after year.
Similarly, use real plates, glasses and cutlery; if you need additional pieces for hosting, borrow or rent instead of buying disposable.
After the meal, launder your linens (or rotate them) so that each item has long life and many uses.
Bonus: this choice gives your table a more intentional, elevated feel, and sends a subtle message that sustainability and celebration can go hand in hand.

Why this matters:
Disposable paper napkins and plates may seem trivial, but they contribute to landfill and resource consumption nonetheless. Replacing them with reusable alternatives aligns with circular economy thinking—buying once, using many times, and reducing waste.

4. Use Whole Ingredients and Embrace Leftover Creativity

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When we treat food as precious and fully utilise it, we lean into sustainability both philosophically and practically. Many sustainability guides recommend using whole vegetables (including peels), making items from scratch, and turning scraps and leftovers into new meals.

What this might look like:

Leave potato skins on for mashed potatoes or roasted roots with skins intact—they hold nutrients and reduce prep-waste.
After the main meal, use turkey or vegetable bones, scraps, and veggie tops to make stock. Freeze it for future soups or stews.
Reimagine leftovers: Stuffing becomes breakfast hash; roasted veggies become salads; and freezer-friendly items get tucked away for another day.
Recycle in the compost: vegetable peels, fruit cores, etc., become nutrients for soil, either through municipal composting or your own backyard bin.

Why this matters:
When we waste less and reuse more, we honour food’s full journey. It embodies circular-economy thinking: reuse, renew, reduce.

5. Decorate Mindfully and Set the Scene for Future-Friendly Traditions

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A sustainable Thanksgiving isn’t just about the meal—it’s about the atmosphere too. Choosing natural décor, minimal packaging, and reusable elements helps keep the celebration aligned with your values. According to expert tips, this is a meaningful area of impact.

Ways to implement:

Use centrepieces made from pinecones, leaves, gourds, apples, or branches you can compost or reuse afterward.
Avoid excessive new plastic decorations; consider borrowing or using what you already own.
After dinner, encourage guests to linger outdoors (weather permitting), minimizing indoor energy use from lighting/heating.
Start a new tradition: for example, a gratitude circle or nature walk before dessert, connected to your meal and the planet.

Why this matters:
Our homes and tables are narratives. Choosing décor that aligns with sustainability sends a message: we’re not simply consuming—we’re carving out a meaningful experience with the Earth in mind.