Thanksgiving is one of the most special times of the year—a season of gratitude, togetherness, and reflection. But between grocery runs, elaborate decorations, and overflowing trash bags, it can also become one of the most wasteful.
With Apex Property Clearing & Recycling, you can enjoy a warm, memorable holiday without excess or waste. Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be extravagant. With a few mindful choices, you can stay frugal, eco-conscious, and clutter-free, keeping both your wallet and the planet happy. Here are our best tips to help homeowners, property managers, and businesses celebrate sustainably.
1. Shop Smart and Prevent Food Waste
Plan Before You Purchase
- Take inventory of your pantry and fridge before you shop. You’ll probably find canned goods, spices, or baking ingredients you forgot you already had.
- Shop with a list. Avoid impulse buying items that will likely sit unused.
- Buy local and in season. Farmer’s markets and local grocers often offer fresher, package-free produce, reducing plastic waste and supporting Oregon’s regional economy.
Portion with Purpose
- Use a guest count calculator (many are available online) to avoid cooking more than you need.
- Offer smaller plates to help reduce leftovers that go uneaten.
- Encourage guests to bring reusable containers so they can take home leftovers.
Repurpose What’s Left
When the feast is over, get creative before you get wasteful:- Turn leftover turkey into soups, casseroles, or sandwiches.
- Mashed potatoes can easily become breakfast patties the next morning.
- Freeze extra portions. You’ll thank yourself later during the busy winter months.
2. Decorate Sustainably and Save Money
Thanksgiving décor doesn’t have to come from a big box store. Some of the best, most charming pieces can come straight from your backyard or storage closet.
Use What Nature Provides
- Leaves, pinecones, and branches make beautiful, rustic centerpieces.
- Add some candles or LED lights for a cozy, autumn glow.
- You can even use pumpkins or gourds from your garden. Skip the plastic versions altogether.
Repurpose & Upcycle What You Have
- Turn old mason jars into candleholders or vases.
- Reuse fabric scraps or old scarves as table runners.
- Spray-paint old bottles or cans in gold or copper tones for a festive, eco-friendly touch.
Avoid Single-Use Décor
Those cheap plastic tablecloths and paper plates, while convenient, create a lot of waste. Instead:
- Use cloth napkins, ceramic plates, and real utensils.
- Borrow extras from friends or neighbors if you don’t have enough.
- Wash and reuse what you can.
3. Celebrate with Less Energy and More Intention
The beauty of Thanksgiving is in slowing down and appreciating what you have.
Keep It Simple
- Host a potluck where everyone brings one dish. It reduces stress, prevents food waste, and saves money.
- Skip over-decorating or overspending on fancy centerpieces. A clean table and warm company go a long way.
Conserve Energy
- Cook efficiently by using the oven for multiple dishes at once.
- Use LED lighting or candles to create ambiance.
- With more people inside, you can even turn the thermostat down a degree or two and still stay comfortable.
Make It About Connection, Not Consumption
Encourage meaningful activities instead of expensive ones:
- Write gratitude notes for each guest.
- Share what you’re thankful for around the table.
- Volunteer together or donate unused pantry goods to a local food bank.
4. Declutter Before and After the Holiday
Apex knows that the holidays can sneak up fast. The decorations come out, boxes pile up, and suddenly the garage is bursting again. Decluttering is one of the best gifts you can give yourself before the new year.
Before Thanksgiving: Make Space for Guests
- Clear out cluttered entryways, garages, and spare rooms to make room for visitors.
- Donate gently used furniture, decorations, or kitchen items to local charities.
- Toss or recycle any broken items or junk you may come across. Apex Property Clearing can handle the removal safely and responsibly for you.
After Thanksgiving: Tidy Up Without Stress
Once the holiday is over:
- Break down cardboard boxes and packaging for recycling.
- Donate unwanted gifts or kitchen gadgets you didn’t use.
- Remove old décor or bulky items that are taking up space.
Sustainable Disposal Options
At Apex Property Clearing & Recycling, we take care of:
- Junk removal for bulky items or large quantities of waste.
- Recycling and donation whenever possible, reducing landfill waste.
- Hazardous material handling when necessary (like old paint, propane tanks, etc.).
- Brush clearing and debris cleanup to refresh your outdoor spaces before winter.
One call really does do it all, and we always prioritize recycling and reuse to keep Oregon beautiful.
5. Frugal, Eco-Friendly Hosting Ideas
Hosting doesn’t have to drain your wallet or the planet’s resources.
Borrow, Don’t Buy
If you need extra chairs, serving dishes, or decorations, ask family and friends. You can also hop onto Facebook and find many local Buy Nothing or Freecycle groups, which offer great ways to share and reuse items.
Serve Simple, Delicious Dishes
Keep your menu manageable:
- Choose 2–3 standout dishes instead of ten.
- Cook from scratch using local, seasonal produce (if possible). It’s fresher and can be cheaper.
- Stick with recipes that don’t require specialized tools or ingredients you’ll only use once.
Think Long-Term Savings
An eco-conscious Thanksgiving is about habits that save time, money, and space all year long:
- Reusing the decor you already have, instead of adding to the collection, means less to buy next year.
- Decluttering now prevents future overwhelm.
- Donating or recycling responsibly helps local families and reduces environmental impact.
6. When to Call Apex for Help
Sometimes, you can only declutter so much on your own. That’s where Apex Property Clearing & Recycling steps in. Call Apex when:
- You’re overwhelmed by the amount of clutter or debris.
- You need bulky item removal (furniture, appliances, or post-holiday junk).
- You want a safe, eco-friendly cleanup done by professionals who care about recycling and donation.
- You’re managing an estate, rental property, or business that needs a quick turnaround.
Apex handles it all, including interior and exterior cleanouts, demolition, brush clearing, hoarding support, and complete property clearing. We do it with professionalism and care. Every item we remove is evaluated for recycling or donation before it ends up in a landfill, ensuring as little as possible ends up there.
Serving Linn, Benton, and Marion counties, Apex provides comprehensive property cleanup so you only have to make one call.
7. Give Back This Thanksgiving
Giving back doesn’t always mean money. It can mean time, thought, and generosity with what you already have. Here are a few simple, low-cost ways to give:
- Donate unwanted items or leftover décor to local non-profits or thrift stores.
- Volunteer to serve meals at community events.
- Deliver a plate of leftovers to a neighbor who lives alone.
- Encourage your guests to bring canned goods for donation.
Small acts like these align perfectly with what Thanksgiving is really about (gratitude, kindness, and community).
8. A Clean, Conscious Start to the Season
When you think about it, being frugal and eco-conscious is a lot like giving thanks, appreciating what you already have, and using it wisely.
This Thanksgiving, celebrate with intention:
- Buy thoughtfully.
- Cook smart.
- Reuse and recycle what you can.
- Declutter and donate to make room for what truly matters.
And when the mess feels like too much, remember that Apex Property Clearing & Recycling is here to help you handle it responsibly. From junk removal and demolition cleanup to donation partnerships and recycling services, Apex is proud to serve Oregon families and businesses who care about their community and the environment.
Ready to start fresh this season?
Contact Apex Property Clearing & Recycling today for a FREE estimate, and let’s clear the way for a clutter-free, sustainable holiday season.