Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Holiday meal planning reduces food waste and clogged pipes

SAN DIEGO – Holiday meals are some of the most anticipated of the year, so why do many throw away almost half of them?

While that seems outrageous, in the U.S., 40 percent of the food supply is wasted. That’s approximately 133 billion pounds of food being thrown away annually. Meanwhile, 42 million Americans struggle to avoid hunger daily.

On average, San Diegans throw away 5.5 pounds of trash a day, the most per capita compared to all other major urban counties in the state. Fifteen percent of that is food waste, adding up to almost 500,000 pounds each year.

Food that ends up in landfills means wasted money, labor, transportation, water and land resources. Worse, as it breaks down in landfills it produces methane, a gas that is 25 times more harmful to people’s health and the environment than carbon dioxide.

Fortunately, San Diego residents can take small steps to make a big difference, starting this holiday season. By following the tips below from the county of San Diego, residents can save money and help the environment while enjoying their holiday meals.

First, make an effort to reduce waste at home. In a season when people give thanks for what they have and consider giving to those in need, reducing food waste feels even more important. Buying and preparing the right amount can save money and time.

Next, plan ahead and use any leftover food in new dishes. Set aside containers for guests to take home leftovers. It will help make sure the food that is prepared is eaten. Small steps like placing leftovers and perishable items in the front of the refrigerator will also ensure that food gets eaten before it’s condemned to the landfill.

Visit http://www.WasteFreeSD.org for more tips, including how to keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer.

Another important way to protect the environment and the household plumbing is to take care with the oils used for cooking during the holidays. Fats, oils, and greases have harmful effects on the environment when not disposed of properly.

In recent years, deep fried turkeys have become an increasingly popular holiday tradition. Frying a turkey uses up to three gallons of cooking oil. If that oil is discarded in kitchen sinks or other drains, it may block pipes and cause sewage overflow in homes, streets, lawns and the ocean, not to mention severely damage home plumbing systems.

Contrary to popular belief, mixing oil with soap is not an effective method for preventing sewage backup. Instead, San Diegans should accumulate their oils in a secure container and recycle them at a collection facility. Save oil containers and caps or lids for use after cooking. Once used cooking oil has cooled, pour into empty oil container and cap it.

Do not mix chemicals in the used oil, and label container “used cooking oil” to avoid confusion. To find the closest drop off location, unincorporated county residents are encouraged to visit the county’s Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste database, http://www.WasteFreeSD.org, or call (877) 713-2784.

For more information, residents can visit http://www.ilacsd.org/education/programs.

As San Diego’s most influential advocate for sustainability, I Love a Clean San Diego is an environmental catalyst, awakening passion and inspiring action, empowering everyone to improve the health and beauty of their local environment. For more information, to volunteer or donate, visit http://www.cleansd.org or call (619) 291-0103.

 

Reader Comments(0)