Holiday meals

Holidays are frequently celebrated with large meals shared with friends and family.  You can enjoy these occasions while incorporating some sustainable ideas into the celebration. 

• Coordinate the menu with others who will bring food so that you can plan amounts appropriate for the number of guests.  Resist the temptation to keep adding menu items once you have provided enough food for all of your guests. 
• Planning how you will use the leftovers is as important as planning the meal.  Food disposed in landfills creates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, as it decomposes.  Provide reusable containers and send leftovers home with your guests.  Plan meals for the next few days to use the leftovers and put some of the leftovers in your freezer. 
• Keep hot items hot and cold items chilled so that you don’t have to throw spoiled food away (and so the food is safe to eat). 
• While you may have many cherished traditional menu items that you will want to enjoy, you may want to experiment with some new sustainable food choices alongside the old favorites. 
• Consider sustainability when choosing decorations.  Reusable decorations can create new traditions for the future. 
• Choose reusable plates and utensils, and recycle appropriate items.