15 Ways to Reduce Food Waste at Thanksgiving and Beyond
Plan, cook, and celebrate smarter—simple habits help you cut waste, save money, and make your Thanksgiving more sustainable.
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones and share an abundant meal, but it also brings a surge in food waste that strains our planet’s resources. Each year, millions of pounds of food end up in landfills during this holiday, along with all the water, energy, and labor that went into producing it. By being more intentional at every stage—from planning and shopping to serving and storing—you can host a memorable Thanksgiving feast while minimizing your environmental footprint.
Why Reducing Thanksgiving Food Waste Matters
Food waste is a critical environmental, social, and economic issue, especially during the holidays. In the United States alone, more than 300 million pounds of food will be wasted this Thanksgiving, representing over $550 million in groceries and enough water to supply every American with 18 showers. This waste also contributes substantially to greenhouse gas emissions: when food rots in landfills, it produces methane, a highly potent climate-warming gas. Meanwhile, many face food insecurity and would greatly benefit from surplus food that is perfectly safe to eat.
- Environmental impact: Wasted food represents wasted water, land, and energy. If global food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
- Social impact: About 47 million Americans experience food insecurity, while Thanksgiving leftovers are often discarded after one meal.
- Economic impact: Wasting food is equivalent to throwing away money spent on ingredients and preparation.
Fortunately, making small, thoughtful changes can have a big effect on reducing food waste this holiday and beyond.
1. Plan Your Menu with Precision
Avoid overbuying by carefully planning your menu. Consider the number of guests and adjust recipes to realistic portions rather than preparing full servings of every dish for every person. Most guests will sample multiple items, and large spreads increase the risk of leftovers getting thrown away.
- Estimate serving sizes. Use online portion planners or calculators to match recipes to your guest list.
- Survey your guests. Ask about dietary preferences and must-have dishes to avoid unwanted or excess items.
2. Shop Smart and Locally
Draft your shopping list after meal planning. Stick to the list to avoid impulse buys and duplicate items. Shopping at farmers’ markets or local grocers not only reduces your food’s carbon footprint, but supports the local economy.
- Buy local and organic. Ingredients grown nearby travel less, reducing fuel use and emissions.
- Avoid bulk deals on perishables. Purchasing only what you need helps ingredients get used in time.
3. Use the Whole Ingredient
Minimize waste in meal prep by using as much of each ingredient as possible. Many vegetable trimmings and bones can be saved for stocks or soups, adding value and flavor to future recipes.
- Save herb stems, chicken bones, and veggie peels for homemade broths.
- Sauté or roast beet greens, carrot tops, or broccoli stems for additional sides.
4. Scale Back on Appetizers and Sides
Our holiday instinct is to over-prepare, especially with appetizers, side dishes, and desserts. Since most guests won’t eat full servings of every item, consider paring down the number and portion of each dish. Prioritize favorites and meaningful recipes.
What others are reading
- Serve a few standout appetizers instead of an elaborate spread.
- Make smaller batches of less-popular sides, or rotate them yearly.
5. Skip Single-Use Products
Single-use plates, utensils, and napkins are often used for convenience but create unnecessary waste. Use your favorite reusable dishware, silverware, and cloth napkins to help the environment.
- When necessary, choose compostable options made from bamboo, palm leaf, or recycled materials.
6. Store Leftovers Properly
Pack leftovers in airtight containers as soon as the meal is done. Label with dates and ingredients to keep food visible and safe in the fridge or freezer. Encourage guests to take home a share, or divide larger portions for easy meals throughout the week.
- Use glass, silicone, or BPA-free containers that stack neatly in the fridge.
- Store broth and soup bases in freezer-friendly bags to avoid spoilage.
7. Get Creative with Leftovers
Transforming leftovers into new meals is a fun way to increase variety and cut waste. Turkey, potatoes, vegetables, and stuffing can become soups, casseroles, sandwiches, and more.
- Try turkey pot pie, stuffing waffles, mashed potato pancakes, or savory bread pudding.
- Freeze leftover turkey and stock for use in winter stews or chili.
8. Donate Excess Food
If you have more edible food than you can use, donate it promptly to a local food bank, shelter, or community fridge. Check guidelines for accepted items—generally unopened, non-perishable foods, and sometimes refrigerated or frozen products.
- Organize a post-holiday food drive with family or neighbors.
- Share extra meals with friends or colleagues who couldn’t make it to your gathering.
9. Compost What You Can’t Eat
Composting diverts food scraps from landfills and closes the nutrient loop for healthier soil. Compostable materials include most fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and even paper napkins if they’re not contaminated with grease.
- Start a backyard bin or worm composting system (vermicomposting).
- Check for community compost drop-off locations if home composting isn’t possible.
10. Be a Mindful Host
Help your guests avoid plate waste—let them serve themselves, avoid pre-plating large portions, and provide smaller plates. Offer tastes of dishes so people can decide what they like before committing to a full portion.
- Encourage seconds instead of overloading plates from the start.
- Offer gentle reminders about food waste and share your sustainability goals.
11. Repurpose Scraps for Household Use
Not all scraps are destined for the compost pile. Many can be used in creative ways around the house:
- Lemon rinds to clean cutting boards and freshen the garbage disposal.
- Coffee grounds as deodorizer or for gardening mulch.
- Bread heels make excellent breadcrumbs or croutons.
12. Learn the Food Recovery Hierarchy
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) outlines a Food Recovery Hierarchy to guide waste reduction efforts, from most to least preferred:
- Source reduction (minimizing surplus food produced)
- Feeding hungry people (donation)
- Feeding animals (donate suitable scraps to local farms)
- Industrial uses (biogas, biofuel)
- Composting (nutrient cycling)
- Landfill/incineration (last resort)
13. Support Indigenous and Local Foodways
This holiday, consider seeking out local and Indigenous producers—many Native-run businesses offer unique, sustainably grown foods, and supporting them helps address social and environmental injustice within our food system.
- Buy from Native-owned farms, co-ops, or online shops.
- Learn about the origins and traditions behind foods you serve.
14. Educate and Involve Kids
Thanksgiving provides a valuable opportunity to teach children about food, gratitude, and sustainability. Get them involved in planning, cooking, and composting to help establish lifelong eco-friendly habits.
- Let kids help choose recipes and prep vegetables.
- Explain where food comes from and where waste goes.
15. Make Sustainable Thanksgiving a Tradition
Food waste reduction doesn’t have to end with Thanksgiving. Incorporate these actions into everyday meals and encourage relatives and friends to join you in building a culture of mindful consumption year-round. By consistently practicing these habits, you’ll save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and strengthen connections to your food and community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much food is wasted during Thanksgiving?
An estimated 316 million pounds of food is wasted in the United States during Thanksgiving each year, equivalent to over $550 million in groceries.
What are the top tips for reducing Thanksgiving food waste?
Plan meals carefully, buy only what’s needed, repurpose leftovers, safely store or donate surplus food, avoid single-use products, and compost scraps.
Can leftovers be donated? If so, where?
Yes, many non-profits and community fridges accept unopened, non-perishable, and sometimes fresh or frozen foods. Contact your local food bank or Feeding America affiliate for details.
How do I safely store Thanksgiving leftovers?
Pack leftovers in airtight containers, label with the date and contents, refrigerate promptly, and freeze items you won’t eat in the next few days.
Why doesn’t all food waste compost well?
Not all food waste is equal: avoid composting meats, dairy, and oily foods in home systems as these can attract pests and cause odor. Stick to fruit, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells for best results.
Quick Reference Table: Smart Thanksgiving Food Waste Solutions
| Problem | Solution | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Overbuying groceries | Plan your menu, use a precise shopping list | Less surplus, saves money |
| Uneaten leftovers | Get creative with new recipes, freeze portions | Reduces landfill waste, new meals |
| Packaging and disposable plate waste | Use reusable dishware and cloth napkins | Lower resource use, less landfill |
| Food scraps and peels | Make broths, compost, or feed animals | Enriches soil, closes the loop |
| Difficulty donating food | Contact local food banks for guidelines | Helps reduce hunger |
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving and other holiday gatherings are a chance to show gratitude not just for what we have, but for the resources behind every delicious dish. Through careful planning, creative cooking, and conscious consumption, you can honor the bounty and ensure your celebration is memorable, meaningful, and sustainable. Every effort, big or small, makes a difference for the planet and people alike.
References
- https://treepeople.org/2017/11/14/eco-thanksgiving/
- https://sustainable.umn.edu/thanksgiving
- https://refed.org/articles/this-thanksgiving-316-million-pounds-of-food-will-be-wasted-across-the-u-s/
- https://zerowastechef.com/2017/11/16/take-food-waste-off-the-thanksgiving-menu/
- https://foodtank.com/news/2016/11/seven-tips-to-a-food-waste-free-thanksgiving/
Similar Articles
Read full bio of Sneha Tete
