A Hampton Roads Guide to a More Sustainable Holiday Meal
Holidays bring people together around good food, meaningful traditions, and shared celebrations. Whether you're preparing Thanksgiving dinner, hosting Christmas brunch, gathering for Easter, or planning another special occasion, it's easy to end up with more food and waste than expected.
The good news? A little planning can make a big difference. From shopping smarter and reusing what you already own to sharing extra food and composting unavoidable scraps, there are plenty of ways to make your holiday celebrations more sustainable without sacrificing the things that make them special.
The Surprising Cost of holiday Food Waste
The United States sees an estimated 25% increase in waste between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. According to the Ecology Center and EPA, approximately 21% of that extra 1 million tons is wasted food.
In a 2025 analysis by food waste research nonprofit ReFED, Americans were expected to waste approximately 320 million pounds of food on Thanksgiving alone, representing an estimated $550 million in wasted food.
That's the equivalent of approximately 267 million meals!
And much of this waste is preventable. A survey conducted by ReFED and NielsenIQ found that more than 90% of hosts intentionally prepare more food than their guests need. Turkey alone accounts for an estimated 40% of Thanksgiving food waste.
Food waste doesn't just affect our wallets. When we throw away food, we're also wasting the water, energy, land, and labor used to grow, transport, and prepare it. ReFED estimates that producing the food wasted on Thanksgiving in 2025 required approximately 39 billion gallons of water.
When food ends up in a landfill, it breaks down without sufficient oxygen and produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Composting helps keep food scraps out of landfills, but preventing edible food waste in the first place is even better.
Sources: The Ecology Center (2022); ReFED (2025); NielsenIQ and ReFED (2025); U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Tidewater compost has Got You Covered! 🌱
Even with careful planning, holiday gatherings can generate more food scraps and compostable waste than usual. That's where Tidewater Compost comes in! Unlike most backyard composting systems, our commercial composting service accepts meat, seafood, bones, dairy, food-soiled paper products, and certified compostable serveware that meets our acceptance requirements.
Wondering what else you can compost? Check out our Yes/No Composting Guide!
Expecting more compostable waste than your regular bucket can handle? We also offer options for additional holiday waste collection, so you can keep more of your holiday scraps out of the landfill.
Doorstep Members: Rent additional 5-gallon buckets for just $2 per bucket, per week! Each comes with a compostable liner and lid, delivered and collected right at your doorstep. Need multiple buckets or extra capacity for several weeks? We’ve got you covered!
Drop-Off Members: Hosting a gathering and don’t want to make multiple trips to your kiosk? Take advantage of our $10 one-time doorstep collection service, which includes a 5-gallon bucket, compostable liner, delivery, and pickup. Additional buckets are just $2 each!
Ready to compost more this holiday season? Simply visit the Shop in your Tidewater Compost Member Portal to request additional buckets, and let us handle the extra scraps!
Make Your Table More Sustainable
From cooking and serving to packing up leftovers, a few simple swaps can help reduce unnecessary waste.
Choose reusable serveware whenever possible. Use dishes, utensils, cloth napkins, and food storage containers you already own. If you're hosting a large gathering and need disposable options, look for certified compostable alternatives accepted by your composting service.
Rethink disposable kitchen supplies. Consider reusable baking mats, washable food covers, and reusable containers instead of relying entirely on aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and disposable storage bags.
Make leftovers easy to share. Have reusable containers ready for guests to take home extra food, or choose certified compostable containers where appropriate.
Bringing a dish to pass? Visit a local thrift store for a unique casserole dish, serving platter, or bowl. Bring your contribution in it, then leave the dish as a thoughtful host gift! Your host can keep it or pass it along at their next gathering.
Compostable Swaps
Not everything labeled biodegradable, eco-friendly, or plant-based is compostable. Tidewater Compost only accepts compostable products certified by BPI, TÜV Austria, or the Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA). If you compost at home, specifically look for products certified as home compostable.
Compostable products are becoming easier to find and more affordable. You don't necessarily need to visit a specialty store; Major retailers including Target, Walmart, Whole Foods Market, Costco, Sam’s Club, Kroger, Harris Teeter, Amazon, and The Fresh Market carry a variety of compostable food-storage and foodservice products in stores or online.
Some brands to look for: Compostic, Matter Compostable, World Centric, Repurpose, Hefty EcoSave, and Full Circle Home.
Shopping online? Thrive Market, Grove Collaborative, and Green Paper Products are sustainability-focused retailers that incorporate practices like carbon-neutral shipping, lower-waste or recyclable shipping materials, and plastic-reduction initiatives into their fulfillment.
Compostable Paper Plates, 7'“ & 9 “, 50ct
$9.99 at Amazon.com
Matter Compostable Fiber Disposable Plates 10", Natural, 20ct
$5.99 at Target Stores
Hefty Compostable Paper Plates, 10”, 20 ct
$5.01 at Amazon.com
Hefty Ecosave Compostable Cutlery, 24ct
$2.99 at Target Stores
$2.97 at Amazon.com
Matter Compostable Food Storage Containers, 5ct
$5.99 at Target Stores
Oasis 3-Compartment Clamshell Take Out Food Containers, 8”x8”, 68ct
$20.98 at Amazon.com
Compostable White 3-Compartment Clamshell Containers , 8”x8”, 50ct
$18.99 at Amazon.com
Repurpose Compostable Spoon, 24ct
$3.79 at Amazon.com
Who says sustainable can't be stylish?
You don't have to sacrifice your holiday aesthetic to make environmentally friendly choices! Check out Sophistiplate's Eco Partyware Collection for beautifully designed, BPI-certified compostable tableware that brings a little extra elegance to your holiday celebrations.
5 Simple Ways to Waste Less This holiday season🍽️
1. Shop Your Pantry Before You Shop the Store
Before making your holiday grocery list, take a few minutes to check your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. You might already have canned vegetables, broth, flour, baking ingredients, or other holiday staples tucked away. Using what you have prevents unnecessary purchases and saves money.
As you organize, set aside unopened, shelf-stable foods you know you won't use. If they're suitable for donation, they could help stock a local food pantry ahead of the holidays.
Bonus tip: Make a quick inventory of what you already have, then build your holiday menu and shopping list around it.
2. Plan Portions, Not Just Recipes
It's tempting to make everyone's favorite dish in enormous quantities, but more food doesn't always mean a better holiday. Before shopping, confirm your guest count, consider how many side dishes you're serving, and decide how much leftover food your household will realistically eat.
The USDA recommends planning approximately 1¼ pounds of whole turkey per person. If you're serving several sides and desserts, consider preparing smaller portions of each dish rather than cutting favorites from the menu.
Remember: You can still enjoy leftovers without preparing enough food for a second dinner!
3. reuse more, throw away less
From cooking and serving to packing up leftovers, a few simple swaps can help reduce unnecessary waste.
Choose reusable serveware whenever possible. Use dishes, utensils, cloth napkins, and food storage containers you already own. Hosting a large gathering? Consider borrowing extra dishes or utensils rather than purchasing disposable products.
Rethink disposable kitchen supplies. Reusable baking mats, washable food covers, and durable storage containers can reduce the need for aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and disposable bags. When reusable options aren't practical, look for recyclable or certified compostable alternatives appropriate for their intended use.
Bonus tip: Bringing a dish to pass? Visit a local thrift store for a unique casserole dish, serving platter, or bowl. Bring your contribution in it, then leave the dish as a thoughtful host gift! Your host can keep it or pass it along at their next gathering.
Looking for more sustainable holiday supplies?
[Add recommended products and links here: certified compostable plates, cutlery, food containers, food transport supplies, and alternatives to common disposable cooking products.]
4. Make the Most of Your Leftovers
Don't let your holiday leftovers get lost in the back of the refrigerator.
Store it safely: Refrigerate perishable leftovers within two hours and eat or freeze them within three to four days, as recommended by the USDA. Divide large dishes into smaller, shallow containers for quicker cooling, and label them with the date.
Freeze what you won't eat: Portion leftovers into reusable, freezer-safe containers so you can enjoy them later without worrying about food going bad.
Get creative: Leftovers are part of the holiday tradition, but eating the same plate of turkey and mashed potatoes for days can get old.
Try giving your leftovers a makeover:
Turkey/Ham: Make sandwiches, soup, pot pie, or salad.
Mashed potatoes: Turn them into potato pancakes or crispy breakfast patties.
Roasted vegetables: Add them to omelets, soups, or grain bowls.
Stuffing: Use it as a filling for savory breakfast muffins.
Cranberry sauce: Stir it into oatmeal, yogurt, or baked goods.
Need some inspiration? Check out Food Network's 63 Thanksgiving Leftover Ideas That Will Make Your Mouth Water for creative ways to make the most of your holiday feast!
Bonus tip: Have reusable or compostable containers ready so guests can take home their favorite leftovers, too!
5. Compost What You Can't Eat 🌱
Even with careful planning, holiday cooking creates food scraps. Fortunately, composting can give those materials a second life instead of sending them to a landfill.
Did you know Tidewater Compost accepts much more than just fruit and vegetable scraps?
As a commercial composting service, we can accept many materials that aren't typically recommended for backyard composting, including:
Meat, seafood, and bones, including turkey carcasses
Dairy products
Grease-soaked paper napkins
Food-soiled cardboard, including greasy pizza boxes
Undyed flowers
Nuts and nutshells
Wooden toothpicks and skewers
We also accept certified compostable foodservice products that meet our requirements, making it easier to reduce waste from holiday gatherings.
For a more extensive list of accepted materials, check out our Yes/No Composting Guide. Contact Tidewater Compost with any questions.
Expecting extra food scraps this holiday season? Tidewater Compost offers options for managing additional compostable waste during the holidays.
Before You Feast, Give What You Don't Need! 💚
The holidays are about gratitude and connection, but it's also an opportunity to share what we have with our neighbors.
As you clean out your pantry and prepare for holiday cooking, consider setting aside unopened, unexpired, shelf-stable foods that your household doesn't need.
Commonly requested donations include:
Canned vegetables, fruits, soups, and proteins
Rice, pasta, oatmeal, and other grains
Peanut butter and other shelf-stable spreads
Shelf-stable milk and cooking essentials
Unopened holiday ingredients such as stuffing mixes, canned pumpkin, and cranberry sauce, when accepted by the organization
Before donating, check expiration dates, packaging condition, and each organization's guidelines. Avoid donating opened food, damaged packages, or perishable items unless a pantry specifically accepts them.
🌱 Looking for somewhere to give? Tidewater Compost is proud to partner with local organizations working to reduce food insecurity throughout Hampton Roads. Learn more about their missions, most-needed donations, and ways you can help in our blog post:
Supporting Food Recovery & Security in Hampton Roads: Meet Our Partners & Find Ways to Give ➜
Not sure what to donate? Monetary contributions can be just as valuable as food donations. They allow foodbanks and pantries to purchase the items their communities need most.
A More Sustainable holiday Starts With Small Choices
You don't need a perfectly waste-free holiday to make a difference.
Using ingredients you already have, preparing realistic portions, sharing extra food, and composting unavoidable scraps are all meaningful ways to reduce your environmental impact.
At Tidewater Compost, we're thankful for every household, business, and community partner helping us keep compostable materials out of Hampton Roads landfills.
This holiday season, let's make the most of the food we have, share what we can, and give the rest back to the soil.
From all of us at Tidewater Compost, Happy Holidays! 🦃💚
Sources & Further Reading
ReFED. (2025, November 3). How much food will go to waste this Thanksgiving? About $550 million worth. https://refed.org/articles/how-much-food-will-go-to-waste-this-thanksgiving-about-550-million-worth/
ReFED. (2025). 2025 ReFED U.S. Food Waste Report. https://refed.org/downloads/2025-refed-u-s-food-waste-report/
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Prevent wasted food through source reduction. https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/prevent-wasted-food-through-source-reduction
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Composting. https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/composting
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service. Happy Thanksgiving! https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/poultry/happy-thanksgiving
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service. Let's talk turkey: A consumer guide to safely roasting a turkey. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/poultry/lets-talk-turkey-roasting