This Thanksgiving, share some helpful water-saving tips with friends and family. Why do turkeys, side dishes, and, of course, desserts have anything to do with water conservation? All the preparation, cooking, drinking, and cleaning can gobble up a lot of water. For example, one twenty-pound turkey requires up to 9,360 gallons of water over its lifetime, and that is before it reaches your Thanksgiving Day table! Here are some great tips to reduce water usage that your parents probably didn’t share with you:
- The Big Thaw
Don’t defrost your turkey in cold water. Instead plan ahead and place your turkey in the refrigerator days before you’re set to cook it. The bigger the turkey, the more time it needs to thaw. Don’t forget to put the turkey in a pan to catch any leaking juices.
- Many Ways to Reuse Water
Washing vegetables in a large bowl of water rather than running water over them can help cut down the amount of water going down the drain. The water can then be used to water your garden or even to soak the roasting pan or dirty utensils before washing them.
- Steam Instead of Boil
One way to conserve water is to steam vegetables instead of boiling them. Not only will you use less water, you’ll also preserve more nutrients and vitamins. No steamer? Place inexpensive metal forks on the bottom of your pot, fill with a little bit of water and then let veggies steam in a heat safe plate on top of forks.
- Water Within Reach
One way to save water is to place a pitcher of cold water on the table instead of filling each glass. Diners can refill their water glasses when they are thirsty and not just when they are empty. Then use the leftover water to water your garden!
- Food Waste = Water Waste
According to the EPA, non-food waste increases by over 20% – an extra 5 million tons – between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Serving smaller portions means cooking less, which then corresponds to less water consumption. Also, rather than dumping food scraps down the garbage disposal, which can clog pipes with oil and grease, scrape leftovers into the trash or even better, into a compost pile.
- Who Wants to Do the Dishes?
Opt to use the dishwasher to clean dishes because an ENERGY STAR-rated dishwasher can use as little as three gallons. If you have to wash dishes by hand, fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water.
So, in addition to giving thanks for what we have this Thanksgiving, let’s also spread the message that water conservation is something we all can be grateful for and support.
