A Sustainable Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time for food, family, and gratitude—but it’s also a time when food waste skyrockets. Did you know American families waste about 1,160 pounds of food annually? Around Thanksgiving alone, an estimated 305 million pounds of food go to waste.
With thoughtful planning, we can all reduce food waste, keeping it out of landfills where it generates harmful methane gas. Here’s how you can make your Thanksgiving more sustainable:
5 Simple Ways to Reduce Thanksgiving Food Waste
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Plan Smartly Before You Shop
- Determine how many guests you’re hosting and plan accordingly. For example, if you’re serving six people, opt for a smaller turkey instead of one designed for 12. Overbuying leads to unnecessary waste.
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Save Your Scraps for Future Meals
- Freeze vegetable peelings and meat trimmings for broths or soups. Leftover turkey carcasses and bones can make delicious homemade stock.
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Get Creative with Leftovers
- Use airtight containers to share leftovers with guests or create unique dishes like turkey pot pies or casseroles.
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Donate Unused Canned Goods
- Extra pumpkin puree, green beans, or cranberry sauce can go to your local food bank, helping those in need during the holiday season.
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Recycle Food Waste Properly
- Turkey bones, potato peels, and uneaten leftovers are recyclable. Secure them in a plastic or paper bag and place them in your curbside organic waste cart.
A Year of Gratitude and Achievements at Harrison Industries
As 2024 draws to a close, all of us at Harrison Industries are reflecting on a year filled with gratitude, milestones, and growth.
Milestones and Community Impact
This year, the Ventura Chamber honored us for 50 years of membership—a testament to our deep-rooted commitment to the communities we serve.
In 2023, we expanded our reach into new neighborhoods through an enhanced contract with Ventura County, allowing us to bring our services to even more residents and businesses.
One of our proudest achievements was the launch of a new food waste recycling program at the Ventura County Fair. Thanks to our partnerships with Agromin, Gold Coast Recycling, and local governments, we diverted nearly six tons of food waste from landfills, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
Honoring Ralph Harrison’s Legacy
This holiday season is bittersweet as it marks our first without Ralph Harrison, whose passing earlier this year deeply impacted us. Ralph’s visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to our company and community continue to guide us. We honor his legacy by carrying forward his values and commitment to excellence. You can read more about his legacy here.
Closing Thoughts: Gratitude for Our Community
We are endlessly thankful for the community that supports us, whether by partnering with us, stopping by to say hello, or sharing our vision for a sustainable future.
From all of us at Harrison Industries, we wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with love, gratitude, and sustainable practices. Together, we can make a difference this holiday season and beyond.
Looking for more ways to reduce waste? Learn about our recycling programs and how you can join us in creating a sustainable future by visiting https://sustainable.umn.edu/thanksgiving.
