Dear Eartha, I love Thanksgiving — the food, time spent with loved ones and the tradition of gathering around the table. But as I stood in the grocery store aisle, staring at a mountain of turkeys, I started wondering about the environmental toll of this holiday. What is the impact of a Thanksgiving dinner, and how can I do better next year?

A feast for thought

Thanksgiving: The day we pile our plates high, share stories with loved ones and perhaps argue over whether canned cranberry sauce qualifies as a delicacy. It’s a day for gratitude, family, and yes — food comas. For me, it also includes my pup begrudgingly wearing his turkey-leg hat as he waits for scraps to fall from the table.

But have you ever paused to think about what’s really on your plate? Especially the star of the show —the turkey. Each Thanksgiving, Americans roast, fry or bake an estimated 46 million turkeys, leaving an environmental footprint larger than we realize.

46 million turkeys walk into a bar

Let’s talk turkey. While it’s less carbon-intensive than beef or lamb, producing any meat takes resources including land, water, feed and energy. The journey from farm to table is no small feat; the average Thanksgiving turkey travels over 1,500 miles to reach your plate. A 20-pound bird produces roughly 64 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, roughly the same as driving a car 72 miles.

And that’s just the bird. The average Thanksgiving meal for 12 people generates about 103 pounds of CO2 emissions once you factor in side dishes, desserts and drinks. Post-feast, food waste piles up. Americans toss an estimated 305 million pounds of food waste each Thanksgiving, much of which ends up in landfills where it emits methane, a greenhouse gas that’s more potent than CO2.

Then there’s travel. Whether it’s a road trip or a flight, holiday travel often contributes more to the carbon footprint of Thanksgiving than the meal itself. But visiting loved ones is important, and there are ways to make it more sustainable.

Gobble responsibly

Here’s the good news: You don’t have to skip the turkey or your beloved traditions to make a difference. With a little planning and thoughtful choices, you can host a more sustainable Thanksgiving next year – or your next holiday get together – and maybe even inspire others at your table. 

• Shop local and pasture-raised: Support Colorado farmers and choose a pasture-raised turkey from a local source. These birds often have smaller environmental footprints, better lives, and shorter journeys to your table.





• Cook what you need: Resist the urge to overdo it. Plan for about one pound of turkey per person for generous portions without the waste.





• Incorporate plant-based options: A few hearty vegetarian sides can complement the meal and reduce the overall footprint of your feast.





• Love your leftovers: Turn leftovers into creative new meals. Use turkey bones for broth, and incorporate extra meat into sandwiches, soups, or pot pie. Freeze what you can’t eat soon and share extras in reusable containers with guests.





• Compost kitchen scraps: Instead of sending potato peels and turkey bones to the landfill, take advantage of Summit County’s free and convenient composting options.





• Ditch disposables: Opt for real plates and cloth napkins instead of single-use items. Encourage guests to bring reusable containers for leftovers instead of using plastic bags.





• Be efficient in the kitchen: If your oven or stove needs an upgrade, consider energy-efficient models that use less power and reduce emissions over time.





• Travel smarter: Holiday travel isn’t always negotiable, but you can make it greener. Carpool with friends or family to reduce emissions or combine trips if possible. Flying? Consider carbon offset programs to balance out your travel footprint.

Gratitude meets sustainability

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude — not only for the food on our plates and the people around us but also for the planet that sustains us. Making small, thoughtful changes doesn’t mean sacrificing the joy of the holiday; it simply adds another layer of meaning to the celebration. 

So, as we enter this holiday season, let’s take a moment to be grateful for the food we eat, the resources used to grow it, and the people who produce it. Together, we can honor these celebrations while working toward a more sustainable future — one delicious bite at a time.

Ask Eartha Steward is written by the staff at the High Country Conservation Center, a nonprofit dedicated to waste reduction and resource conservation. Submit questions to Eartha at info@highcountryconservation.org.

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<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Narelle Kipple</figcaption><figcaption>High Country Conservation Center/Courtesy photo</figcaption>

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