Plan an Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving Dinner

The holidays are coming soon! This means lots of cooking for big holiday dinners. Here are some tips to help you waste less, save water, and protect the environment.

Reduce Waste

• Use your own plates, glasses, and silverware instead of plastic or paper ones.
• Use cloth napkins instead of disposable ones.
• Use items from your yard or garden to make your fall centerpiece.
• Send food home with guests in glass containers.

Save Food

• Use an online took to help you make the right amount of food so you don't have too many leftovers.
• Check what food you already have at home and make a list of what you need before shopping. This helps you avoid buying too much.
• If you have leftovers, give some to your guests or find recipes to use them up after the big meal.

Save Water

• Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge for cold drinks instead of running the tap.
• Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl of water, then use that water to water your plants.
• To steam vegetables, put them on top of another pot that is already boiling food.
• Only run the dishwasher when it is full.

Read more tips on how to conserve water on the City's drinking water website under Water Conservation.

Protect Pipes

• After cooking pour fats, oils, and grease (FOG) into a tin can. Freeze it, then throw it in the trash. This helps keep pipes from being clogged, both at your house and along the wastewater system.
• Remind guests not to throw trash in the toilet. Put a small trash can in the bathroom where everyone can see it.

Read more information on how to prevent sewer backups.