During the holiday season, people often generate a significant amount of trash. One aspect that often goes unnoticed is food waste. It's crucial to be aware of the quantity of food we prepare and discard. Ashley Krug, the Market Development Coordinator for Springfield Environmental Services, emphasizes that food waste isn't just about the food breaking down. In landfills, space is limited, and when food is added, it gets compressed, creating an anaerobic environment. This slows down the breakdown process and leads to the generation of methane.

Steps to Be Mindful on Thanksgiving

Prep and Planning

Avoid making more food than you plan to eat. For example, don't buy three bags of potatoes thinking you'll need them all. Often, we buy in bulk without realizing we have enough for a long time. A useful tool is the guestimator from Save the Food, which helps plan the right amount of food for an event.

Saving and Freezing

When tired of leftovers, freeze them for later use. As Krug said, "Our freezer is our friend. It puts a pause button on food, allowing it to last longer. Freezing food can help manage food waste, especially when we're out of our turkey-induced coma."

Composting

Composting is possible at home. You can compost vegetables, fruits, and breads. However, avoid composting meat and dairy as they can harbor pathogens. If you have food waste like turkey carcasses or other items that you don't want to compost, Springfield recycling centers accept them. It's not limited to Springfield residents; area and regional citizens can also utilize this service.

Reusing Disposable Items

Consider using reusable plates, silverware, and cups instead of disposable ones. Disposable items can't be recycled once they have food waste, as they become contaminants. It's important to be mindful from the start and choose reusable options when possible.The best approach is to be cautious about how much food we make and recycle as much as we can. For more information, visit Springfield Environmental Services.To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.Copyright 2024 KY3. All rights reserved.