Zero Waste Holidays: Sustainable Tips for Food Scraps and Leftovers

As you prepare delicious holiday meals this season, consider the lasting environmental impact of managing food scraps and leftovers sustainably. By using your green organics bin for composting, you help divert food waste from landfills, which not only benefits the soil but also reduces methane emissions-a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

Why Composting Matters

When food waste ends up in landfills, it breaks down and produces methane gas, which is harmful to the environment. Composting allows food scraps to decompose properly, transforming them into nutrient-rich compost that nourishes our soil. California's CA SB 1383 law is part of a statewide effort to reduce organic waste and emissions by keeping food scraps out of landfills.

How You Can Help

• Compost It! If it grows, it can go in the green organics bin or your home compost bin. Place food scraps, leftovers, and food-soiled paper in your compost, where they'll break down into valuable organic material.
• Plan Ahead: Before shopping, take stock of what you already have in your pantry to prevent overbuying and waste.
• Set Up a Compost Station: While cooking, keep a bowl or compost tub nearby for scraps, making it easy to keep food waste out of the trash.
• Creative Leftovers: Transform leftovers into casseroles, sandwiches, or other tasty dishes to reduce food waste.

Year-Round Impact

By incorporating these composting habits into your routine, you'll not only reduce waste during the holidays but also throughout the year. From eggshells to coffee filters, every small effort makes a difference in our collective journey toward a greener planet.

Let's all make this holiday season a sustainable one!

For more Zero Waste Tips, visit, Zero Waste Santa Rosa and Sonoma County Zero Waste.