Many Americans tonight will be sitting down to a hearty 2012 Thanksgiving dinner with plates and plates of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and all the fixings. With an abundance of food comes an increase in unnecessary waste. This infographic encourages people not only to think about their bellies this holiday season, but also how they can reduce the amount of waste they produce.
According to Be Green, half of the food that is prepared for Thanksgiving ends up in the trash in the long run. Over the holidays, garbage production for American households rises by 25 percent. There are simple ways to conserve energy and make the best out of the holiday season while being environmentally responsible. First think about buying your fruits and vegetables from a local market for your 2012 Thanksgiving dinner and donating your leftovers to a homeless shelter. When buying your Christmas gifts, try to use as little wrapping as possible.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Waste Reduction
- Opportunity for innovative products and services that help individuals and businesses reduce waste during the holiday season.
- Local Sourcing
- Potential for businesses to offer locally sourced food options for holiday dinners, promoting sustainability and supporting local farmers.
- Sustainable Gift Wrapping
- Disruptive innovation opportunities in the market for eco-friendly and minimal-waste gift wrapping solutions.
Where This Applies
- Food and Beverage
- The food and beverage industry can explore waste-reducing strategies during holiday meal preparation and promote local sourcing to reduce environmental impact.
- Retail
- The retail industry has the opportunity to offer sustainable and minimal-waste gift wrapping options to cater to environmentally conscious shoppers.
- Non-profit and Social Services
- Non-profit organizations and social services can benefit from partnerships that allow them to accept donations of leftover food from holiday meals, reducing waste and supporting those in need.
