Holiday meals can leave a full refrigerator and plenty of questions about what to save, recycle, or put in the green bin. CalRecycle’s Less-Waste Holiday Guide brings those answers together, with practical tips to help Californians make the most of their groceries and simplify cleanup.

The guide covers common holiday foods, beverage containers, packaging, and table settings, along with ways to reuse items and reduce unnecessary costs. Because recycling and organics collection rules vary, Californians can find information for their community at iRecycleSmart.com

“The holidays are busy, and some practical tips can go a long way,” said CalRecycle Director Zoe Heller. “Our guide takes some of the guesswork out of storing leftovers, finding out what’s recyclable and getting cash back for eligible beverage containers.”

Keeping Food Out Of Landfills

In 2025, an estimated 320 million pounds of food was wasted nationwide on Thanksgiving alone. That waste also represents the water, energy and labor used to produce the food. When food decomposes in landfills, it releases methane, a powerful climate pollutant.

California’s food recovery programs help get still-fresh, unsold food from businesses to people who need it. Since the state’s food recovery requirements took effect in 2022, local programs have recovered the equivalent of approximately 1.1 billion meals for Californians in need.

Whether you’re hosting a Thanksgiving feast, sharing a simple meal, or celebrating in your own way, some simple tips can help you save money and reduce waste, no matter what’s on the menu.

Save Money, Cut Waste

Plan Ahead – Check your refrigerator and pantry before shopping to avoid buying ingredients you already have. An online Guest-imator can help estimate portions.

Ditch Disposable – Use durable utensils, dishes, and decorations you can reuse every year.

Put Leftovers to Use – Have reusable containers ready, or invite guests to bring their own to take food home. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and use them within four days, or freeze them for later.

Freeze Food – Make leftovers last even longer by freezing them. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers helpful freezer food safety tips.

Check Before Donating – If you have extra unopened food you plan to donate, contact a local pantry or community organization to find out which items it accepts.

Compost Food Scraps – Food that can’t be saved goes in your green bin, not the trash. Most California communities now have organics recycling to turn food scraps into compost or energy instead of pollution. Label food scrap bins for guests.

Cash in Containers – Set out a labeled collection bin for CRV beverage containers so you can cash them in at a recycling site once the party is over. Wine, liquor, and juice now qualify for CRV refunds.

Less-Waste Holiday Guide

From turkey leftovers to pie tins, CalRecycle’s Less-Waste Holiday Guide answers common questions about what to keep, reuse, recycle or put in the green bin. The guide covers:

Holiday food: Storing and freezing leftovers, using extra ingredients and handling food scraps.

Beverage containers: Identifying bottles, cans and other containers eligible for cash refunds.

Packaging and table settings: Sorting baking tins, ingredient packaging, disposable plates and napkins.

Decorations and hosting supplies: Options for reusing items and simplifying cleanup.