Give Back
Happy Thanksgiving! Can you believe it is already November? As we gather with loved ones and reflect on what we are thankful for, it is also a great time to give back to our communities and to the planet. This month’s theme is all about giving back. And what better way to show gratitude than by making choices that protect the air we breathe and the environment we share. Here are a few tips on how to stay eco-friendly and still enjoy the holiday festivities.
Mindful Travel
The holiday season is one of the best times of the year - we get to visit family and friends, enjoy a variety of foods, and watch our favorite sports. However, it is also a peak travel period and one of the highest times for food waste. This Thanksgiving, show gratitude to our planet by making friendly travel choices.
Consider carpooling with family members, taking public transit, or driving instead of flying, when possible. Tools like Try Parking It make it easier for North Texans to explore alternative transportation and track your cleaner trips. Furthermore, if you are staying local, biking and walking are excellent alternatives; they reduce emissions and promote a healthier lifestyle while improving air quality in your community.
An additional tool you can use is GoCarma to save on TEXpress Lanes. The TEXpress Lane System in DFW offers drivers the option to pay a variable toll to maintain speeds of at least 50 miles per hour on busy roadways or use general purpose lanes for free. To encourage carpooling, vehicles with two or more occupants can receive HOV toll discounts during weekday peak hours.
To access the HOV discount, download the free GoCarma app that utilizes Bluetooth to automatically verify carpoolers. After a one-time setup, no further interaction is needed if there are at least two people in the vehicle that have the app or occupant pass.
Mindful Meals
Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be both exciting and overwhelming. From planning the menu to shopping and cooking, there is a lot to manage – with it, a substantial risk of food waste.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers helpful guidance on how to prepare for holiday meals while minimizing waste. Start by estimating or counting the number of guests and create a shopping list based on that count. Before heading to the store, check your refrigerator and pantry for ingredients you may already have on hand. It helps to save money and reduce the environmental impact.
Has anyone else stared at their pantry or refrigerator wondering if their items were still good to use or eat? Or, confused with the labels “sell-by”, “use-by”, “best-by”? Here is a link where you can learn how to interpret these terms and reduce unnecessary waste.
Safely store your refrigerated items to prevent them from spoiling, and compost food scraps that have passed their prime instead of throwing them away. After your holiday dinner, store any leftovers properly in the freezer for later use, or donate untouched, safe-to-eat food to a local food pantry.
In addition to food waste, consider the impact of single-use tableware. Several paper plates and cups are not recyclable. They have a wax coating that is difficult to separate from paper, which leads to recycling facilities not accepting these items. Instead, seek to use re-usable plates, cups, and utensils. Do not hesitate to ask family and friends for extra dishware.
Why it Matters?
Mindful travel is not only about convenience or saving money. It is a powerful way to help reduce ground level ozone pollution, which remains a serious challenge in North Central Texas. This region is designated as falling short of national air quality standards by the EPA. Ground-level ozone pollution is a grave concern for both public health and the environment. Inhaling it may cause respiratory issues to individuals with asthma, and other health risks. Common symptoms of exposure to ground-level ozone are coughing, throat irritation, chest tightening, and shortness of breath. Therefore, let’s make Thanksgiving a celebration of gratitude and mindful stewardship. By following these practices, we are showing our thanks to our shared planet. Every small action counts – thank you for doing your part!
A Thoughtful Thanksgiving
