Ways to reduce Christmas dinner waste

Despite the joy that fuels the festive season, Christmas food waste is a staggering environmental problem. The overindulgence and desire to satisfy guests often leads to wasteful buying.

Plan towards waste reduction

Customise the menu

It’s okay to go against traditions if they lead to waste or harm. If certain dishes prove unpopular and end up in the bin every year, then does it make sense to prepare them?

Why not ask invitees what their favourite Christmas dishes are? Use this information to create the perfect menu, only serving food guaranteed to be eaten and enjoyed.

You could also ask them not to bring any dishes, to avoid duplicates. If they would like to contribute, ask them to tell you what they will bring and adjust the menu accordingly.

Set portions before cooking

If you know how many guests to expect, you can prepare the right amount of food. If you have also asked what guests would prefer, you can cook the popular dishes in larger quantities. Make enough for each guest, plus one additional portion per four people to account for larger appetites.

Even if you prefer a self-service style Christmas table setting with serving trays and large bowls for guests to choose from, preparing the right amount will help avoid excess waste.

Beware liquid food waste

Gravy often ranks in the top five most wasted Christmas foods. However, the average Christmas dinner also includes other toppings and condiments: cranberry and cheese sauces for the main; cream, custard, and brandy butter for desserts.

These sauces are destined for landfill or may end up washed down the sink during the post-dinner clean up. The fat and oil these liquids contain contributes to blockages within drainage infrastructure, which can be costly and resource-intensive to clear.

The damage caused by obstructions within sewage networks increases the likelihood of leaks or other containment issues. These have drastic consequences for natural waterways and the surrounding environment.

Make your shopping list and check it twice

Stick to planned portion sizes and buy accordingly. A prepared list makes sustainable food shopping easier and helps resist the temptation of unnecessary impulsive purchases.

Be realistic about how hungry people will be

It is estimated the UK wastes over 2,000 tonnes of cheese at Christmas. This is mostly due to hosts incorrectly estimating the after-dinner appetites of their guests

If you have bought too much food, it doesn’t all have to be cooked on the day. Food suitable for freezing can be saved, while items unsuitable for freezing can be donated or added to recipes over the following days.

Find new leftover recipes

Besides the cliched turkey sandwich, many people are unsure how to use their festive leftovers. When people tire of their sandwiches, leftovers often go to waste.

Inventive recipes can trigger fresh and interesting approaches to tired problems. For example, soups and stocks made from leftover sauces and vegetables packs flavour and nutrition into a simple and appealing bowl, perfectly suited to recovery from seasonal excess.

Store produce properly

Extend the life of fresh produce by storing it in optimal conditions. Well-stocked fridges and freezers maintain a consistent temperature more effectively, reducing energy consumption.

Consider lowering fridge temperature to better preserve fresh produce and dairy products. A crisper drawer can also reduce the amount of moisture vegetables are exposed to, prolonging their freshness.

Prepare space in your fridge and freezer before food shopping to take stock of the ingredients you already have, and keep unnecessary purchases to a minimum.

Buy ingredients in less wasteful packaging

For fresh produce, this means taking reusable bags and avoiding items wrapped in non-recyclable plastic. Of course, homegrown fruit and veg is the least wasteful option.

When buying meat and fish, speak to the butcher or fishmonger and ask if you can use your own container in place of single-use wrappings.

Compost your food waste

The pressure on refuse collection and landfill sites to cope with the influx of Christmas waste can lead to lax environmental practices. Composting food waste and any suitable packaging helps alleviate some of this pressure.

Uneaten scraps, peelings, and inedible elements such as bones can be home composted or collected by local authorities for composting into nutrient-rich, natural fertiliser.

Reduce waste at Christmas

Try combining these dining preparation suggestions with our low-waste Christmas decoration ideas for a greener Christmas. You can also celebrate sustainability and serve a successful seasonal feast by using FOOGO green’s natural, home compostable tableware.

In addition to being practical, reliable, and eco-friendly, opting for biodegradable disposable serving utensils will also free you from the burden of washing up after the festivities have finished.