Sustainable Thanksgiving : Celebrate with Planet-Friendly Tips

Sustainable Thanksgiving : Celebrate with Planet-Friendly Tips

Sustainable Thanksgiving : Celebrate with Planet-Friendly Tips
Thanksgiving is a special time for families to come together, share a festival meal, and express gratitude. With tables often filled with traditional favorites like roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. it’s easy to overlook the environment impact of the holiday. Did you know that over 46 million turkeys are consumed each Thanksgiving? Or that, according to research from the University of Minesota, more than 305 million pounds of food are wasted during this holiday alone? 
At a time when the world faces food shortages, water scarcity, and increasing waste, Thanksgiving can contribute significantly to these problems. But the good news is by making mindful choices we can celebrate Thanksgiving in a way that’s kind to our planet. Here are 5 sustainable tips to enjoy the holiday while reducing waste 

 

Planning Your Meal to Avoid Overbuying

Before heading to the supermarket store. take time to plan how much food you’ll actually need. Consider the number of guests and the dishes you want to prepare. Creating a detailed shopping list ensures you only buy what’s necessary, helping to reduce food waste and saving you both time and money. 

Save Leftovers for Future Meals

If you have ingredients or cooked food leftover after the big feast, don’t toss them! Store them properly in airtight containers and freeze for future meals. This extends the life of your food and reduces waste while also giving you a break from cooking later on. 

Considered Plant-Based Options

You don’t have to completely give up the traditional turkey, but why not try reducing the amount of meat served and adding more plant-based dishes? This can lower your environmental impact and introduce your guests to some delicious, healthy alternatives. In corporating more vegetables, grains, and plant-based protiens can be just as satisfying– and more sustainable! 

Share Leftovers with Loved Ones

After the meal, show your loved ones some extra care by packing up leftovers for them to take home. You can personalize containers with decorative touches to make the gesture even more thoughtful. Not only will this reduce food waste, but it will also create lasting memories of your time together.

Compost Food Scraps

If you find yourself with food scraps or uneaten leftovers that can’t be reused, composting is a fantastic option. Composting turns food waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden, helping you grow herbs, vegetables, or flowers in the future. Don’t know where to start? Check out our blog, "Organic Fertilizer from Food Waste: A Path to Sustainable Living," to learn more about how to compost effectively!


This Thanksgiving, let’s not just celebrate what’s on our table, but also think about how our choices affect the planet. By planning ahead, sharing meals, and composting leftovers, we can enjoy the holiday while taking steps toward a more sustainable future. Happy Thanksgiving!

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Ivy, the in house chef at Copra Coconuts' kitchen.

Ivy is a recipe developer and media producer based in Bangkok, Thailand. She uses the local cuisine, tropical ingredients and all year around gorgeous weather as inspiration to create the most vibrant, delicious and healthy dishes.

Because Ivy cares deeply about sustainability, she tries her best to keep all recipes plant-based, low waste and seasonal.

Some of Ivy’s favorite activities in the city of Angels are weekend bike riding at Bang Krachao island, visiting speakeasy bars and cafes around Yanwarat Road and watching the sunset by the Chao Praya River.

If you would like to find out more about Ivy’s food and cultural adventures around Thailand go to @copra_coconuts.

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