Learn to reduce your food waste and divert organic waste from our local landfills! Join I Love A Clean San Diego for our free Too Good To Waste: Food Recovery Workshop at Lindo Lake County Park on Saturday, March 16, at 10 a.m. During this workshop, we’ll cover:
Tips to reduce waste when grocery shopping, cooking, and storing food
Different styles of composting
Why it’s so important to keep organic waste out of the landfill
How to properly dispose of food waste through the curbside organic waste recycling program
Attendees will have the opportunity to make and take home a vermicomposting bin during the workshop – all supplies will be provided to start easily composting at home! Please note that supplies are limited to one bin per household, with priority given to residents of the unincorporated County of San Diego.
Registration is required. Thank you to the County of San Diego for sponsoring this event!
According to a recent study, food waste amounts to the cost of approximately $1,500 per year, per family. Wasted food also wastes money, time, labor, transportation, water, and land used in food production. Aside from this waste, food decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen) in landfills releasing methane gas, a driver of global climate change that is up to 86 times more potent in trapping heat than carbon dioxide. San Diego County residents have the power to change this during the holiday season, and the study suggests that the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday is the perfect place to start!
Implementing some simple changes can reduce your food waste and support a healthy environment. Here are some simple tips to save money and help the environment while enjoying delicious holiday meals.
Cook and serve with a plan
The easiest way to reduce food waste during the holidays is to buy and prepare the right amount of food. Save the Food, a campaign of the Ad Council in collaboration with the Natural Resources Defense Council, created a tool to help save money and time while reducing food waste. Their Guest-imator helps create a menu based on how many people are attending the holiday feast.
Once the home chef knows roughly how much food is needed, create a detailed shopping list and stick to it. This will prevent getting sucked in by holiday displays appealing sales throughout the store, sometimes causing excessive purchases that may not be needed and may not actually be eaten.
When shopping for ingredients, opt for unpackaged items or bring your own cloth bags to minimize unnecessary waste further. In case there isn’t a package-less option for your groceries, learn how to Recycle Right on this county website.
Shop at local farmers’ markets
Nothing better than a festive farmer’s market! Visit one of the 36 certified farmers’ markets in San Diego County and buy local, unpackaged produce directly from regional farmers. View this resource from the county for a list of regional certified farmers’ markets.
Embrace all foods
When shopping, most people select the best-looking produce, meaning the “ugly” fruits and vegetables are often left on the shelves. If these items are not sold in time, they may be destined for the landfill. This wasted produce has the same vitamins and nutrients as their “prettier” counterparts but is not chosen simply because of looks. Give all produce a chance at the grocery store or farmers’ markets, especially if the chosen produce is part of a larger dish.
Go for plant-based meals
Did you know it takes 1,800 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef? Incorporating more plant-based foods into holiday celebrations, such as green bean casserole, lentil shepherd’s pie, and stuffed peppers, can cut the environmental cost of meals significantly. Find more plant-based holiday recipes here.
Shrink serving sizes
During the meal, reduce portion waste by using smaller dishes and smaller serving spoons – seriously, it works! People can always come back for seconds.
Anticipate yummy leftovers
Having a plan for leftovers is another way to ensure that the food prepared is eaten. After all, half the goodness of holiday food is in the delicious leftovers the next day. Provide containers for guests to take remaining food home, freeze leftovers for a later date, or use those leftovers in creative ways. Some recipe ideas can be found here.
Prevent the “fatberg.” Another important way to protect our environment (and your plumbing) this holiday season and year-round is to properly manage used cooking oil. Deep-fried turkeys have become an increasingly popular holiday tradition, but can use up to three gallons of cooking oil. When discarded down drains, oils, fats, and greases can block pipes and damage plumbing systems. Contrary to popular belief, mixing oil with soap or pouring hot water down the drain afterward are ineffective methods for preventing “fatbergs” that cause sewage backups.
Fortunately, there are free drop-off locations for used cooking oil. Collect cooled cooking oils in a secure lidded container labeled “used cooking oil.” Do not mix chemicals or other liquids with the cooking oil. To find the closest drop-off location, visit the Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste database, WasteFreeSD.org, or call 1-877-R-1-EARTH (1-877-713-2784).
Residents interested in learning more about food waste reduction can visit the County of San Diego’s Recycling website. To learn more about composting resources and options, please visit WasteFreeSD.org and click on Resources.
Learn how to enjoy all of life’s celebrations without creating waste! Join I Love A Clean San Diego on Tuesday, October 17th from 5:00-6:00 pm for our Celebrate Sustainably: Zero Waste Holidays, Parties, and Events webinar.
Our Celebrate Sustainably webinar will cover how to maintain a low-waste lifestyle while navigating gift giving, décor, and cooking for large groups. We’ll share:
Low- and no-waste gift ideas
Easy DIY decorations for different types of events
Where to best dispose of the waste we create after the holidays and large gatherings.
Ways to reduce the amount of food waste from big holiday meals
Please register to receive the Zoom link. We can’t wait to see you virtually on October 17th! Thank you to the City of Encinitas for sponsoring this event.
Learn to reduce your food waste and help divert organic waste from our local landfills! Join I Love A Clean San Diego for our free Save Your Scraps workshop at the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens on Saturday, August 26 at 10 a.m. During this workshop, we’ll cover:
Tips to reduce waste when grocery shopping, cooking, and storing food
Different styles of composting
Why it’s so important to keep organic waste out of the landfill
How to properly dispose of food waste through the curbside organic recycling program
Attendees will have the opportunity to make and take home a vermicomposting bin during the workshop – all supplies will be provided to start easily composting at home!
Registration is required. Thank you to the City of Vista for sponsoring this event!
Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the City of La Mesa on Wednesday, May 24th @5pm for a free webinar detailing the State’s new regulations for organic waste recycling, how multifamily residences and individuals can successfully implement those requirements, and the importance of managing organic waste properly. Make sure your building is compliant and your residents are ready!
Join us for a free webinar focused on Creating a Zero Waste Business. In this informational webinar, we will cover the basics of zero waste and strategies to incorporate sustainable solutions in the workplace. You will learn easy and effective zero waste practices for your business, discuss ideas to get started, and hear case studies from local businesses who have implemented changes successfully. This webinar will leave you feeling empowered to begin making incremental shifts at your own place of work.
The City of San Diego’s new curbside organic waste recycling program is here! Join us on Saturday, June 3 at 10 a.m. for our free workshop at the Allied Gardens Recreation Center to learn about mandatory organic waste recycling for City of San Diego residents and how to do it at home.
The one-hour workshop will include:
How to properly dispose of food waste
What types of waste can go in the organic waste recycling bin
Why it’s so important to divert organic waste from our landfills
Participants will receive FREE compost from the Miramar Greenery and informational resources in a follow up email!
Registration is required. Thank you to the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department for sponsoring this event!
The City of San Diego’s new curbside organics waste recycling program is here! Join us on Wednesday, May 3 at 11 a.m. for our free webinar to learn about mandatory organics waste recycling, what it means for the City of San Diego residents, and how to do it at home.
During the one-hour webinar, you will learn:
How to properly dispose of food waste through the curbside organics waste recycling program
What types of waste can be put in the organics waste recycling bin
Why it’s so important to divert organic waste from our landfills
Attend the live webinar to get your questions answered by a representative from the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department.
Registration is required. Participants that cannot attend live are encouraged to register to receive the recording and additional resources. Thank you to the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department for sponsoring this event!
The City of San Diego’s new curbside organics recycling program is here! Join us on Saturday, February 25th at 10 a.m. for our free Organics Waste Recycling Webinar to learn about mandatory organics waste recycling, what it means for the City of San Diego residents, and how to do it at home.
You will learn:
How to reduce food waste in the kitchen through meal planning and food storage
How to properly dispose of food waste through the curbside organics waste recycling program
What types of waste can be put in the organics waste recycling bin
Why it’s so important to divert organic waste from our landfills
Attend the live webinar to get your questions answered by a representative from the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department. Register to receive the link to the live webinar. Participants who cannot attend live are encouraged to register to receive the recording and additional resources. Thank you to the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department for sponsoring this event.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, being grateful, and… lots of food! If you are starting to plan your Thanksgiving meals for the holiday, consider these zero-waste tips to keep our landfills from getting stuffed!
Buy Local
Visit your local farmer’s market or grocery store instead of big chain supermarkets to buy the produce and poultry you need for your Thanksgiving meal. This not only reduces your carbon footprint but supports local farmers and agriculture. The money you spend will be put back into the local economy and used to invest in better farming equipment and practices, resulting in better yield and fresher foods.
Buy in Bulk
Consider bulk buying some of your products to reduce plastic packaging and save some money! Bulk buying doesn’t mean you need to buy family-sized bags of produce, you can just bring your own containers to designated stores and fill them based on your needs. For Thanksgiving, items to bulk buy include rice, potatoes, pasta, honey, spices, herbs, and vegetables. Check out this resource on How to Bulk Buy for more tips or type in “refill stores” on wastefreesd.org to find a bulk store near you!
Dinnerware
Avoid using single-use plastic. Instead, use plates, bowls, and cutlery already at home. If you don’t have enough, ask a friend or family member to bring their own. For larger parties, consider purchasing compostable dinnerware made from natural plant-based materials, which are biodegradable and a more sustainable option.
Make Turkey Broth
Did you know that turkey broth is beneficial for the bones and digestive system, and contains nutrients in the form of vitamins and minerals essential to the body? Instead of throwing out the carcass and innards as you would normally, add them all into a large pot along with some onions, carrots, and celery, then cover everything with water and let it simmer for 4-6 hours. You can also find other recipes and ideas here on how to use the entire turkey and not waste a single part.
Leftovers
No matter how carefully you plan, you’re bound to have some leftovers. Make sure you make space in the fridge beforehand and use a vacuum sealer so the food stays fresher for longer periods of time. You can also use leftovers to make new recipes such as Thanksgiving leftover casserole using mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. Discover more delicious recipes here.
We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and are able to put into practice at least some of our Zero Waste Thanksgiving tips! For tips and tricks on sustainability visit our blog at WasteFreeSD
