Do you hear that? The holiday season is knocking on the door to the beat of Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton.
As you gather with friends and family, turning to traditions or creating new ones, make room for practices that reduce your carbon footprint. It’s important to know that the food you place in your refrigerator and oven has a relatively insignificant impact on the environment compared to traveling to your final destination. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the number of long-distance trips (to and from a destination 50 miles away or more) increases by 54 percent over holidays. According to the study, most long-distance holiday travel, about 91 percent, is by personal vehicle.
Last year, vehicle travel in early November was as much as 20 percent lower than a year earlier, but it surged around the holiday and peaked on Thanksgiving Day at only about five percent less than the pandemic-free period in 2019, according to StreetLight Data.
If you're gathering with family and friends, here are a few ways you can reduce your impact on the environment.
- Shop your local farmers market. Because the food is grown locally, it helps protect the environment. Food in the USA travels an average of 1,500 miles to reach large chain stores. Local farmers also use less pesticide than big box farms.
- According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, you can reduce food waste by planning ahead. How much food should you cook for your party? Well, the Natural Resources Defense Council has a “Guest-imator” that lets you enter the number of people you expect (divided into small, medium, and large appetite categories for added precision) and the types and number of dishes you hope to make, then provides the recommended servings for each recipe. It’s estimated that 200 million pounds of turkey meat is thrown out over the holiday week.
- Donate the leftover food. n San Francisco, contact Food Runners and a volunteer will pick up your donation and deliver it to a suitable feeding program in San Francisco. Similar services are provided in other Bay Area cities.
- Use real or compostable silverware, dishes, and napkins to create sustainable place settings.
- Be sure to use natural decorations to provide a festive atmosphere for your celebration. A trip to your local nursery can generate ideas.
Early planning and creativity can result in a memorable – and green – holiday with family and friends. Want to brag about your festive and sustainable decor? Share with us on Twitter.
As you gather with friends and family, turning to traditions or creating new ones, make room for practices that reduce your carbon footprint.
