Social gatherings and the holidays are stressful enough for most of us, add the pressure all our eco-warriors out there are experiencing to be sustainable-sh. Don’t stress! As we always say – “progress over perfection”, we don’t aim to be perfectly sustainable all the time. Sometimes it’s the small things like swapping one time for another that makes a whole lot of difference in the grand scheme of things. Attainable, simple ways can go a long way into building consistent habits. So what are these easy swaps you might ask? Here goes nothing:

Open Potluck vs. Meal Planning – we love a good potluck! But sometimes we find ourselves with too much food or even multiples of one food item. All it takes is a little bit of planning and coordination. Make things simple by having a shared google doc where everyone can put in what they’re bringing. Categorize into: appetizers, sides, mains, desserts and beverages to ensure your group has an equal amount of everything. Want a sample copy of said shared document? Message us below and we’ll give you access to one we love using when hosting parties.

Meat vs. Veg Dishes – unless your plan is to host a vegetarian/vegan thanksgiving dinner (not a bad idea), we always aim for a little bit of variety in every gathering. Make it simple, swap out a meat dish or two with something more vegetable forward. Opt for hearty, meaty vegetables like tofu, mushrooms, cauliflower, squash. Swap out dairy for nut milk options, use non-dairy milk and butter that are just as good as the real thing. Really, a little swap goes a long way and no one will taste the difference.

Conventional vs. Local free-range Turkey – no Thanksgiving is complete with the centerpiece Turkey. Make sure you support your local supplier and business. Chances are your local farmer’s market supplier or local butcher has turkeys that are free-range, pasture-raised and organic. Ensuring that your turkeys are sustainably grown and are not pumped full of chemicals and antibiotics, they also tend to taste better too!

Plastic vs. Compostable Tableware – while we usually encourage reusables over plastic, realistically speaking when it comes to big gatherings like Thanksgiving, a normal household would not have enough reusable tableware on hand. So instead of buying more tableware that will end up in storage on a normal day, opt for compostable or specifically home compostable products. These products are plant-based and breaks down in days/months after-use and compostable in your own backyard. Disposable after use and saves you the washing afterwards, make sure to throw properly into your compost bin.

Throw away scraps vs. Composting – food scraps are inevitable, instead of throwing everything into the trash make sure to set them aside to either throw into your compost bin. If you have been deciding on when to start composting then we say the holiday season is a good way to start. You’ll have tons of scraps to throw away and this will force you to be a more conscious consumer afterwards. Trust us, nothing will make you better at waste management than seeing the amount of trash you end up throwing. Confused on what are compostable and non-compostable? leave a comment below and we’ll send you a list.

Deliveries vs. Shopping local – we get it, deliveries are the most convenient thing and while we love a good grocery-share, save yourselves some money on additional fees and shop locally. Whether you support your local markets and businesses or walk your way to the neighborhood shops, shopping local is always better. It helps boost the economy of your neighborhood as a plus. And don’t get us started on expedited shipping … just don’t. 

Left behind leftovers vs. Take away – you want a fun idea for holiday party giveaways? Provide some cute reusable containers that everyone can use and take home. Giveaways are often frilly and never used, so why not provide reusable containers that guests can take and immediately use after the party by taking home some leftovers for their next meals or to donate? Eliminate food waste before it starts by having everyone take home a few portions of their favorite dishes.

Trash it all vs. Sort it out – no, not everything goes into one trash bin. Go the extra mile and make it a nice, teaching moment to all your loved ones who still have not practiced the art of sorting trash accordingly. Know which items goes into the recyclables, which ones goes directly to trash and which ones can be composted and goes to the compost bin or set aside for future compost drop-off in the next few days.

Drive vs. Carpool – ride share can be expensive during the holidays especially during peak hours. Save yourself some money and stay safe by assigning a designated driver and carpool with your friends. Plus, it’s always fun traveling with your friends before/after a big event. If your gathering is close enough, consider walking or taking your local electric shuttle. Select states in the US (California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Texas, Washington, DC) can avail of a circuit e-vehicle.

See, making these swaps are easy as 1,2,3…9! Happy Thanksgiving and remember #progressoverperfection always. For more everyday, digestible, sustainable content, follow @humbleearthinitiative on IG. Stay humble!