The Green Party

smoked turkey for Thanksgiving

While the rest of America is planning an over-the-top Thanksgiving, I have this nagging worry in the back of my head: “What about all those turkeys that are dying at once? Isn’t that bad for the ecosystem?”

Apparently, I’m not the only one who struggles with social events and green living. A while back, I was forwarded an e-mail from N.Y. Times writer Alexandra Jacobs:

…what do you do if you go to some party and your host serves beretta freshly FedExed in from Italy…on styrofoam plates! Or..or…or…And hey, what if you’re having people over yourself–what are ways to reduce the gigantic clomping carbon footprint of a big barbecue?

Alexandra’s article, “The Green Party,” ran this week. I’m the unnamed source who served meat (uh oh, I let animals die) at a Mardi Gras-themed party. Geez, they made it seem like I had something to hide by leaving off my name!

How do you feel about throwing parties? Do you not worry about paper plates and all that?

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2 Comments

  1. Amanda said,

    I get a little iffy when it comes to styrofoam anything. Plates, cups, etc. I hate using those things. As for just being wasteful in general, it’s hard because I’m not a big leftovers person. I generally get sick of food in about 2 days, so I never make more than what I can have. That being said, I do feel really guilty whenever I am going out because the portions are normally HUGE. Until that gets under control, I get I can’t do anything about it.

    November 10, 2007 at 8:11 pm

  2. Charlotte said,

    For some reason, I have a lot of plates. So when I have company, that’s not a problem. But when I’m throwing a barbecue, or a picnic, it’s really hard not to have disposable stuff — who wants to haul dirty dishes back from the beach?

    November 11, 2007 at 8:40 pm