How To Reduce Food Waste At Christmas And Beyond

We’re not about withholding special treats over the winter period (or at all, for that matter). Instead, we can look at our impact on our world during this time, enabling us to see how we can make effective cutbacks that won’t stop us having fun. 

Most wasted Christmas foods

It’s time to name and shame the most wasted food items at Christmas – you might already be a superstar when it comes to wasteless food shopping, but if you’d like to learn more, take a look below. Here are some of the main culprits when it comes to Christmas food waste, according to Good To Know:

• Christmas puddings and mince pies  
• Pigs in blankets (vegan and non-vegan)
• Gravy – apparently there’s enough wasted gravy to fill a swimming pool 
• Roasted vegetables – we’re not sure why, but parsnips, carrots, potatoes and Brussels sprouts top the list when it comes to festive food waste

How to reduce food waste at Christmas 

• Plan, plan and keep on planning – making a shopping list and sticking to it is the most effective way to reduce food waste at home throughout the year, but especially at Christmas 
• Ask your family, housemates and guests what they’d like to eat. If everyone loves mince pies, then don’t stop buying them; but if they’d all rather eat vegan biscuits  with their cups of tea, then ditch some of the mince pies from your shopping trolley before they end up in the bin
• If you know you’re more likely to start eating out, at friends’ houses or craving takeaways, then factor that into your shopping habits by planning to cook fewer meals
• Organise your fridge, rotate the contents of your cupboards so the old stuff is at the front and use your freezer to make your food last longer – you might be able to cook some of your festive favourites with what you’ve already got
• Donate any spare food – this is always appreciated and effective, but especially so at Christmas. Here’s a useful site to help you find your nearest food bank.

If you’d like some more in-depth information on these steps, then have a read of this thorough guide on reducing food waste.

Some other ways to have a more sustainable Christmas

It’s not just food that’s a big hitter for waste at Christmas. We can turn our attention to what we’re gifting to how we’re wrapping them and how we decorate our homes. For the full low-down read 9 Ways To Help You Have An Eco-Friendly Christmas.