(NC)-With Thanksgiving fast approaching, Canadians are honing their appetites and preparing their palates for turkey, pumpkin pie and stuffing. Though overindulging is common during the holiday season, this excess consumption can be harmful to the environment. Between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, Canadians produce an extra 900,000 tonnes of garbage. Canadian families can do their part to reduce this excess waste by adopting a few new traditions during the holiday season.
Here are a few ways to 'green' your Thanksgiving.
Clean your house using environmentally-friendly products. Most people do a major cleaning before having guests over for the holidays. When cleaning, choose brands that offer natural products in recycled packages. For example, Green Works is a new line of natural cleaners that can be found at your local grocery store. All products are 99% natural, come in recyclable containers and are made with biodegradable cleaning agents. Information on these products is available online at www.greenworkscleaners.com.
Set the table in style. To ensure clean up is a breeze, Canadians often turn to disposable dishes, napkins and cutlery when entertaining large groups. When setting your table this Thanksgiving, let loose and pull out the fine china. Not only will your guests be impressed, you will reduce waste. Ensure your table is eco-friendly by using cloth napkins, reusable dishes and silverware that can be washed and reused.
Make your own Thanksgiving decorations. Buying decorations year after year is not only costly, it's environmentally unfriendly. To spice up your space the eco-friendly way, refashion old decorations or make new ones using items found in the backyard. Give Thanksgiving tables a festive feel by scattering fall leaves in vibrant colours or creating centerpieces made from pinecones.
Go 'green' at the grocery store. When buying groceries for your holiday meal, look for products with minimal packaging or packaging that can be recycled. Reduce your family's carbon footprint by carrying the groceries home in reusable bags. If you don't already have some, most stores have reusable bags that can purchased at the check out.
- News Canada