Tips for a more sustainable Thanksgiving

Published on November 20, 2025

Thanksgiving is a time to gather, enjoy good food, and celebrate community. This year, the Energy, Equity & Environment (E3) Division encourages everyone to try a few simple, sustainable habits that can help reduce waste and support a healthier planet. Did you know that an estimated 6 million turkeys, nearly 200 million pounds of food, are thrown away every year after the holiday? A few thoughtful steps can help ensure that less food ends up in the trash and more of our resources are used wisely.

• Plan your portions. Coordinate with guests ahead of time so you know how much to prepare and can avoid overbuying.
• Check your pantry first. Before heading to the store, see what ingredients you already have that you can use.
• Cook from scratch when you can. Prepared and packaged foods often come with a higher carbon footprint than homemade meals.
• Bring your reusable bags. Remember your reusable grocery and produce bags when shopping
• Buy local and organic when possible. Supporting nearby growers reduces transportation emissions and helps local economies.
• Compost scraps. Things like vegetable trimmings and eggshells can be composted rather than thrown away.
• Use glass containers for leftovers. They’re reusable, durable, and help cut down on single-use plastics.

Small changes add up, and together, we can make this holiday season a little lighter on the planet and a little fuller in meaning!