10 tips to reduce food waste, save money and protect the environment this holiday season

SAN DIEGO COUNTY – Food is the highlight of many holiday traditions and memories. Everyone can think of a holiday dish that makes them smile and mouths water instantly. Yet, about 40% of all food produced in the U.S. never gets eaten.

In fact, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, Americans waste 25% more than during the rest of the year. During the holidays, millions of pounds of uneaten turkey, gravy, green beans, mashed potatoes and other seasonal trimmings end up in landfills.

Food is the single largest material disposed of in U.S. landfills, amounting to each person tossing an average of 20 pounds of food per month into the trash at a cost of approximately $1,500 per year, per family. This wasted food also wastes money, time, labor, transportation, water and land used in food production.

Aside from this waste, food decomposes anaerobically, or without oxygen, in landfills releasing methane gas, a driver of global climate change that is up to 86 times more potent in trapping heat than carbon dioxide. San Diego County residents have the power to change this, especially during the holidays. So, what can we do?

While gatherings with family and friends will look quite different this year, implementing some simple changes can reduce your food waste and support a healthy environment. Follow these simple tips from San Diego County and I Love A Clean San Diego to save money and help the environment while enjoying holiday meals.

1. Tune in to the Celebrate Sustainably: Food & Festivities Webinar, Nov. 21.

I Love A Clean San Diego and the county are hosting a webinar Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10-11 a.m., titled “Celebrate Sustainably: Food & Festivities Webinar.” Register to attend at https://www.ilacsd.org/event/food-and-festivities/. There is no cost to attend.

Americans send, on average, 25% more to the landfill between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than at any other time of the year. The webinar will focus on ways to reduce the amount of waste produced in kitchens around big holiday meals. They will present strategies to begin practicing in the kitchen right away, so everyone can live a low-waste lifestyle at all times of the year.

2. Cook and serve with a plan.

The easiest way to reduce food waste during the holidays is to buy and prepare the right amount of food in the first place. Save the Food, a campaign of the Ad Council in collaboration with the Natural Resources Defense Council, created a tool to help save money and time while reducing food waste. Their Guest-imator helps create a menu based on how many people are attending the holiday feast.

Once the home chef knows roughly how much food is needed, create a detailed shopping list and stick to it. This will prevent getting sucked in by holiday displays appealing sales throughout the store, sometimes causing excessive purchases that may not be needed and may not actually be eaten.

When shopping for ingredients, opt for items in recyclable packaging to further minimize unnecessary waste. Learn how to Recycle Right at https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/dpw/recycling/RecycleRight.html.

3. Shop at local farmers’ markets.

Farmers markets are back. Visit one of the 36 certified farmers’ markets in San Diego County and buy local, unpackaged produce directly from regional farmers. View this resource from the county for a list of regional certified farmers’ markets.

4. Embrace all foods.

When shopping, most people select the best-looking produce, meaning the “ugly” fruits and vegetables are often left on the shelves. If these items are not sold in time, they may be destined for the landfill. This wasted produce has the same vitamins and nutrients as their “prettier” counterparts, but is not chosen simply because of looks. Give all produce a chance when at the grocery store or farmers’ markets, especially if the chosen produce is part of a larger dish.

5. Go for plant-based meals.

Did you know meat requires almost eight times more water per calorie than most vegetables? Incorporating more plant-based foods into holiday celebrations, such as green bean casserole, lentil shepherd’s pie and stuffed peppers, can cut the environmental cost of meals significantly. Find more plant-based holiday recipes at https://www.plantbasedcooking.com/vegan-sides-mains-thanksgiving/.

6. Shrink serving sizes.

During the meal, reduce portion waste by using smaller dishes and smaller serving spoons – seriously, it works! People can always come back for seconds.

7. Anticipate yummy leftovers.

Having a plan for leftovers is another way to ensure that the food prepared is eaten. After all, half the goodness of holiday food is in the delicious leftovers the next day. Provide containers for guests to take remaining food home, freeze leftovers for a later date, or use those leftovers in creative ways. Some recipe ideas can be found at https://www.foodnetwork.com/thanksgiving/leftovers/best-thanksgiving-leftover-recipes.

8. Donate unused items – check out http://WasteFreeSD.org.

Visit WasteFreeSD.org for more tips, including how to keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer and for donation locations for regional food pantries in communities near you. Currently, about one in eight people in San Diego County are food insecure.

9. Spare your drains.

Prevent the “fatberg.” Another important way to protect our environment (and your plumbing) this holiday season, and year-round, is to properly manage used cooking oil. Deep-fried turkeys have become a popular holiday tradition, but can use up to 3 gallons of cooking oil. When discarded down drains, oils, fats, and greases can block pipes and cause sewage to overflow into homes, streets, lawns and our ocean, not to mention severely damage home plumbing systems, as well as city-owned pipes. Contrary to popular belief, mixing oil with soap or pouring hot water down the drain afterward are not effective methods for preventing “fatbergs” that cause sewage backups.

Fortunately, there are free drop off locations for used cooking oil. Collect cooled cooking oils in a secure lidded container labeled “used cooking oil.” Do not mix chemicals or other liquids with the cooking oil. To find the closest drop off location, visit the Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste database, WasteFreeSD.org, or call 877-713-2784.

10. Websites to remember.

Residents interested in learning more about food waste reduction can visit the county’s recycling website. To learn more about composting resources and options, visit http://WasteFreeSD.org and click on Resources.

Submitted by I love a Clean San Diego.