Creating a plan is a great way to reduce waste.

Planning on hosting a party?

Start your plan with checking your pantry – take the guess work out of what you actually need.

Pick out recipes that use the whole vegetable, like carrots – their leafy tops can go in the freezer and make a great addition when creating soup stock.

Decorations

Plan for decorations that are reusable or recyclable. There are many ways to DIY your decorations and some of them are kid friendly. Check around the house for any supplies you might already have on hand.

Did you know that most paper decor is recyclable at a local depot (or in your blue bin if you live in the District of Sechelt or in the shíshálh Nation Government District).

A list is the easiest way to stick to your plan to reduce waste.

You’ve got your plan in place? or still working on it? Well write it out!

Grocery shopping is so much easier when you have a list. Buy only what’s on the list to help reduce the chances of food going to waste. Visit our webpage dedicated to reducing food waste for more at www.scrd.ca/reduce-food-waste.

Suspect leftovers will be abundant? Plan ahead for how you’ll manage by listing potential recipes so you can enjoy the after holiday glow and reduce the stress of meals the next day. See below for leftover tips.

This way family will take what they want to eat and don’t leave behind something they wouldn’t have chosen for themselves.

Transform leftovers into tasty new meals!

One of the best parts of a family get-together? The leftovers! But after a few rounds of the same turkey dinner, even your favourite meal can start to feel a little… familiar.

This Thanksgiving, give those leftovers a delicious second act!

Get creative and try a new way to repurpose what’s already in your fridge. Ever tried a turkey croque monsieur? Or fried rice packed with leftover vegetables? There are plenty of ways to shake up turkey soup, too — try adding coconut milk for a creamy twist, or turn leftover turkey into a hearty stew topped with biscuits.

Leftover vegetables are just as versatile. Toss them into a curried pie or frittata, tuck them into a turkey and leek pie, or roll them up into tasty turkey burritos. The possibilities are almost endless — and your leftovers might just surprise you!

Share the abundance

Still have more food than your family can eat? Keep your community in mind and consider donating or sharing what you can.

Check with the Sunshine Coast Food Bank or the Salvation Army  to find out what types of food donations they’re accepting this year. You can also connect with a local farmer to see if they’re able to use food scraps to feed their animals.

Compost what’s left

And if some leftovers simply aren’t destined for a second helping, that’s okay! Give them a final purpose by using your Green Bin or composting them. visit https://www.scrd.ca/composting for tips about composting.

We can extend our gratitude on this holiday by also honouring the food that feeds our family. Share what worked with your friends and family. Happy Thanksgiving.