EPA tells how to be careful about food waste this Thanksgiving

Are you one of the many people who will have to clear out refrigerator space to hold everything before going to the supermarket to buy the turkey, assorted vegetables, fruit and cheese for Thanksgiving?  That means throwing away a lot of uneaten food.

This once good, nourishing food cost money to buy. And, by throwing it in the trash, that food waste will be sent to a landfill where it will rapidly decompose and generate methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

Here are four holiday tips anyone can use to reduce his or her impact on the environment this Thanksgiving.

• Plan your menu and make a list of everything you’ll need. Check your cupboards and cabinets to see what you already have on hand. Taking a detailed list to the grocery store will cut down on overbuying which, in turn, will reduce waste and save money.

• Use your leftovers. Make soup with leftover turkey and vegetables. Or, give them to your guests to take home.

• Donate usable food to a food bank, shelter, soup kitchen or other organization that feeds hungry people in your community.

• Compost your food waste. Composting reduces the amount of food waste that goes into the trash. And you’ll end up with free, nutritious fertilizer that will help next year’s garden grow. Uncooked vegetables and fruits, eggshells, and coffee grounds are just some of the items that can be composted.

For more information about food waste:
EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge: http://www.epa.gov/smm/foodrecovery/index.htm
Household Composting: http://www2.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home