Thanksgiving is the time to celebrate friends and family, and of course, the food! While families enjoy their meals of turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, something unfortunate happens. Thanksgiving is one of the biggest holidays for food waste in the United States. This is a problem that affects the environment and tons of food doesn’t go to people who need it.
How Much Food is Wasted?
Americans throw away more than 300 million pounds of food waste each year, according to the ReFED, a non profit that focuses on food waste. After large meals, lots of people find themselves with lots of excess food that they usually get rid of. 30-40% of all food produced in the U.S. is wasted, with Thanksgiving greatly contributing to that number. The tradition of a large feast for Thanksgiving often leads to leftover food that ends up being thrown away, instead of being used.
The Environmental Impact:
While many throw away their leftovers, they may not consider the environmental harm that comes from it. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), When food waste sits in landfills, it generates methane, a very potent form of greenhouse gas that severely damages the environment. This in turn contributes to global warming and climate change. So, by wasting food, the planet is facing the consequences.
What Can Be Done?
The scale of food waste may seem like a difficult problem to solve, but there are many things that can be done to reduce food waste and be more sustainable this Thanksgiving. Planning ahead is one of the best ways to avoid waste and thinking about how many people will be eating and how much food one actually needs. If you do have excess food, eating leftovers and letting your guests take some as well are great ways to use your food waste and lots of Thanksgiving food stays good for a few days. Lastly, some food banks accept donations of Thanksgiving leftovers, especially the ingredients used to make them. Giving back to the community is an effective way to help others while being sustainable.
This Thanksgiving, as you give thanks for the food on your table, make sure to give thanks to the planet that provides it. When you plan ahead, use leftovers, and donate extra food, food waste can be reduced, making the holiday more sustainable for everyone!
