Tell One Friend: Reduce Holiday Food Waste

On average, about a quarter of Edmonton’s garbage is food waste. This amount increases significantly around the holidays, according to City waste audits. With the expectation of smaller gatherings this year, planning holiday meals is important in order to reduce food waste and not to prepare and purchase in excess. Reducing food waste starts at home. By making small changes you can divert food waste from landfill.

• Don’t buy more food than you need; have a plan.
  
• Choose a local butcher or produce supplier to buy from, when possible.
• Finish leftovers.
• Donate unused products to the local food bank.
• Get creative with leftovers, store or freeze food correctly and planning out meals all help to prevent holiday food waste.

Share Your Message Effectively

Try these tips to connect with friends, family, neighbours and co-workers.

Model the Behaviour
Encourage those who will be taking part in the meal to help plan out the food.

Make it Normal
Talk about preventing food waste while enjoying a shared meal and simple ways to prevent it.

Offer Timely Prompts
Did you know that a well planned out holiday meal is sometimes all it takes to prevent food waste?

Give Positive Feedback
Thank you for taking home and eating leftovers. You have prevented food waste!

Visit edmonton.ca/foodwaste

Previous Tell One Friend: Use a Blue Bag (not a blue box)