(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is another in a series of recycling tips from the City of Covington's Neighborhood Services Department, Solid Waste & Recycling Division.)
COVINGTON, Ky. – Thanksgiving Day is all about getting together. Well … the food too.
But along with the big dinner comes a big mess – and a lot of preparation.
Fortunately, with a little forethought -- before, during, and after the meal -- you can reduce your celebration’s impact on the planet Earth. Here are some tips:
Fortunately, with a little forethought -- before, during, and after the meal -- you can reduce your celebration’s impact on the planet Earth. Here are some tips:
- Farm friends: Shop local and organic (reduces emissions from delivery vehicles, and the use of pesticides and fertilizers).
- Ditch the disposable: Use reusable dinnerware. Just say “no” to plastic utensils and cups, and paper plates (and God forbid those “foam” ones).
- Doggy bags: Reduce food waste by sending home leftovers. And when you do, use containers instead of plastic bags or plastic wrap-sealed plates.
- Let it rot: Further reduce food waste by composting scraps that lil’ Bobby didn’t eat and all those potato peels and onion skins that piled up during preparation.
- In the cart: Reuse or recycle those beer, wine and soda pop cans and bottles, and the tubs and cartons from broth and butter.
- Break tradition: Adopt a turkey rather than eat one. Going meatless reduces emissions (raising that turkey creates a whopping 34.2 pounds of CO2).
- Carpool: If Grandma’s house is over the river and through the woods and many miles down that highway, pick up a relative on the way. (Especially with THESE gas prices.)
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