Thanksgiving often leads to excessive eating.

Every year, approximately 45 million turkeys are raised and slaughtered in the U.S., according to the National Turkey Federation.

This holiday is also notorious for generating massive waste.

Estimates from the Natural Resources Defense Council suggest that around 200 million pounds of turkey go to waste each year. In fact, food waste is a persistent issue throughout the year.

Yearly, Americans waste nearly 40% of their food, costing families around $1,500. The global food waste problem releases methane in landfills, accounting for about 8% of the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, as stated by Roni Neff, an associate professor of environmental health and engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“Being mindful and grateful for our food can encourage us to make choices that minimize waste,” Neff highlighted in a recent discussion. “If we truly enjoy food, we should aim to savor it fully rather than throwing it away.”

Neff and various experts believe there is still time to change these habits, lessen food waste, and promote sustainable food practices, ensuring better health outcomes. From your choice of turkey to side dishes and leftovers, here are some tips for a more eco-friendly Thanksgiving.

Choosing the Turkey

Reducing the portion of turkey on your plate can be a wise choice, according to Keeve Nachman, associate director of the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future. This might involve opting for a smaller turkey than you typically would.

To avoid turkeys raised through harmful industrial farming practices, which deplete water resources, consume fossil fuels, and result in heavier birds transported across the country, consider selecting certified organic or free-range turkeys, as suggested by Jessica Fanzo, a professor at Columbia University’s Climate School.

Organic turkeys are fed without the use of fossil fuels, pesticides, herbicides, or antibiotics, while free-range signifies that the animal had access to the outdoors. Consider looking for heritage breeds, which allow turkeys to roam in more natural environments throughout their lives.

If you’re concerned about the welfare and sourcing of the turkeys, buying locally is advisable. However, this can be a challenge, as many Americans now live far from agricultural areas.

Alternative Main Dishes

If turkey isn’t your favorite, consider alternative proteins like Cornish game hens or branzino fish.

Plant-based choices such as tofu and tempeh are also excellent options.

Reducing meat consumption can lessen your ecological impact and enhance your heart health, especially by limiting red and processed meats, as noted by Fanzo.

Choosing Side Dishes

Experts recommend focusing on side dishes that contribute to a nutritious holiday meal, which can minimize food waste. Prioritize recipes featuring more fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

In-season produce like pumpkin, squash, apples, pomegranates, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cranberries not only enhance the meal’s flavor and appearance but also play a part in reducing the environmental impact associated with transportation.

Gravy is an essential part of Thanksgiving meals. By using portobello mushrooms in your gravy, you can help lessen meat consumption. You might also consider moving away from starchy potatoes, which need significant water, and traditional bread and stuffing, as wheat farming is under pressure from climate change. Instead, you can incorporate legumes like lentils, beans, and chickpeas, or opt for grains such as millet or quinoa.

Leftovers

Fanzo advises making space in your fridge and freezer to keep extra food from the big meal for longer. It benefits everyone if hosts encourage guests to take home leftovers. Get creative with your leftovers; for instance, you could add a fried egg on top of stuffing or assemble turkey and cranberry sandwiches.

Don’t forget that vegetable scraps and bones can be used to make stock. You can freeze the broth and thaw it as needed.

If you have leftover food that is still good to eat and can be shared, consider donating it to a local food bank, as suggested by Anya Obrez, an advocacy associate from the Natural Resources Defense Council.

What about actual trash?

Bones and vegetable trimmings that can spoil should be composted. Composting organic matter helps enhance soil quality and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, among other advantages.

However, composting can be challenging in some areas of the U.S. since it’s often organized locally. Check for food scrap drop-off locations in your community, which may be set up at farmers’ markets. Alternatively, if you have space, you might try composting at home or in your yard.

According to Obrez, everything that lands on our plates is connected to what happens beforehand and affects what waste is produced after the meal.

“When food is wasted, all that was involved in getting it to our plates is also wasted,” she noted.