The holiday season is officially here, the best time for joy, celebration, gift giving and gathering with friends and family. Although the most wonderful time of the year, it’s also a time when food waste tends to reach its peak. The abundance of holiday meals and increase in single-use dining untensils can most likely result in excess waste that ends up in the trash. Thankfully, there are simple yet effective ways to minimize food waste during the holidays. We’re exploring five practical tips to help you make the most of your holiday meals and mimimize waste.
1. Get Creative With Leftovers
Instead of tossing all your leftover turkey and side dishes, get creative and transform them into new dishes. Turn it into a fun contests between friends, to see who can make the best dish.
2.Properly Store Leftovers
Rather than using plastic wrap or aluminum foil, ensure any leftovers are stored using reusable storage bags or containers.
3. Plan Your Holiday Meal
Gear up for your big holiday meal by planning ahead! Cook according to number of people attending the holiday feast to limit food waste.
4. Serve Smaller Portions
With the variety of delicious dishes available, it can be tempting to overload your plate with food. Consider opting for smaller portions of each dish, that way you get to sample while minimizing food waste.
5. Compost Scraps During Meal Prep
Composting is a great way to reduce food waste. Collect all your vegetable peels and fruit scraps and use them as compost in your garden or give them to a friend who has a garden.
Must-Have Dining Holiday Essentials
Bagito - Reusable Food Storage Bags
These reusable food storage bags are made from our 100% PEVA material – BPA free, non-chlorinated and tested food safe. Uniquely designed with an extra-wide gusset at the bottom, allowing the bags to stand, load, clean and dry with ease.
Goods That Matter - Wool Dish Drying Mat
Wetlands are nature's sponge and our dish drying mat is an all-natural option for your sink area. It retains moisture as your dishes dry, wool is naturally antimicrobial, absorbs moisture, and evaporates it.
Bagito - Reusable Trash Can Liners
Eliminate single-use plastic bags with our reusable trash can liners. They are BPA free, and non-chlorinated.
Bit Of Meraki - Organic Hand Screen-Printed 100% Cotton Dish Cover
The fun and hygienic way to wrap your bowls and keep them in the fridge is with this hand-printed circular fabric dish cover set. It's an ideal reusable alternative to single-use plastic cling wrap and zip lock bags.
Bagito - Organic Cotton Reusable Towel Roll Set
Includes 25 super absorbent fabric towels that can be washed and re-used over and over again! Designed to easily swap out with a roll of single-use paper towels, The Bagito Reusable Towel Roll features an innovative elastic strap that holds towels in place and a sturdy reusable inner tube for easy dispensing.
Goods That Matter - Organic Cotton & Beeswax - Food Wraps
Our Beeswax Food Wraps are the eco-friendly replacement for plastic wrap: help to protect the environment + they keep your food fresh longer.
A set of 2 minimalist linen placemats. Linen is aesthetic and functional, it adds a touch of elegance in all simplicity. Placemats are versatile, they will nicely enhance your dishes in the kitchen or in the dining room while protecting your table.
Amour Linen - Linen Double-Oven Mitt
Choose our durable zero-waste linen double oven mitts made from linen scraps in order to minimize fabric waste. With heat-resistant padding. Very practical and a great addition to your kitchen!
As you embrace the holiday season with your loved ones and prepare for the joy of holiday cooking, lets commit to minimizing waste. Verte Mode strives to help people achieve sustainable living, which is about implementing simple yet effective changes in your daily life. By minimizing food waste, you’re contiributing to a greener planet and a greener future.