Every year, the holidays generate considerable food waste. To raise consumer awareness, the anti-waste application Too Good To Go reveals the three most wasted foods during the holidays and above all provides good advice to prevent our leftovers from ending up in the trash.
The most wasted foods at Christmas
According to an Ademe study on the environmental impacts of the end-of-year celebrations, 83% of those questioned admit to preparing much more food than necessary. A surplus responsible for the waste of 76 kilotons of food during this period, or around 3 kg per household. According to Too Good To Go, among the most wasted foods, we find bread, at the top of the ranking with 37%. Then accompaniments such as rice, pasta and potatoes which represent 32%, then just behind aperitifs such as toasts, verrines and other delicacies, with 29%. Alarming figures which underline the need for a change in our consumption habits.
The right actions to adopt
For a more sustainable Christmas, here are some tips that will make all the difference. Before the holidays, plan your meals by precisely assessing the quantities needed according to the number of guests. During the meal, serve small portions and invite your guests to serve more. This helps limit uneaten leftovers. After the festivities, don’t throw away the excess. Reuse leftovers in simple and tasty recipes. For example, turn stale bread into French toast or croutons, and side dishes into gratins or salads. With leftover poultry or fish, you can make delicious meatballs or even gourmet parmentiers in no time. A very good way to extend the holidays while adopting an eco-responsible approach.
* ADEME study “The environmental impacts of the end-of-year holidays” – December 2022
