Reduce Waste This Thanksgiving with These Simple Tips

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering and gratitude, but it can also lead to a lot of food waste. This year, take steps to minimize waste with these easy tips:

• Make a Leftovers Plan: Decide ahead of time what to do with leftovers. Will you send food home with guests, turn it into soups or casseroles, or freeze it for later? If you’re stuck for ideas, check out these 61 creative recipes for Thanksgiving leftovers.

• Prepare to Minimize Waste: Invite guests to bring their own to-go containers, stock up on your own containers, and add any necessary ingredients for leftover recipes to your shopping list.

• Act Before the Food Coma Hits: After the feast, carve out a little time to follow through on your leftovers plan before you settle in to relax.

• Compost What You Can’t Eat: For scraps and uneaten food, composting is a great solution. If your building doesn’t have curbside composting, use one of the City’s six compost drop-off sites to ensure your food waste is put to good use.

With a little planning and effort, you can enjoy the holiday while reducing your impact on the environment.