Thanksgiving is just around the corner and what better way to give thanks to our planet than by having a green, eco-friendly Thanksgiving! Did you know that waste increases 25% per household from Thanksgiving to New Years?! Here are some great tips from Earth 911 to help reduce the amount of waste we produce this holiday season.

Instead of just going to any grocery store and filling up your cart with the usual holiday goodies, why not take a moment and actually think about where your food is coming from ? Try and purchase organic or local food for some of your holiday meal. You can also try a farmers market in your area. Not only will the food taste better, but it produces less carbon emissions since it's not being transported from across the country. When you do go to the store make sure to bring reusable bags.

Also, try and only buy the amount of food you really need. According to Earth 911, 28 billion pounds of edible food is wasted each year! Plan your meal in advance and get a definite head count before you go food shopping. Try and keep track of the amount of food eaten in previous years and adjust accordingly. If you do end up with tons of leftovers, why not donate them to a homeless shelter or a food bank instead of just throwing it away?

Instead of using disposable plates and cutlery, opt for reusable ones. Get a cloth tablecloth and napkins you can use again and put out your real plates. It may be more of a hassle piling on those extra dishes, but think about how better it is for the planet.

These are just a few of the great tips. Check out Earth 911 for more tips on making your Thanksgiving a green one!