Be thankful for conservation this year

Every year at Thanksgiving, we sit down at a lavish table full of delicious food cooked with favorite family recipes. And every year much of this food goes to waste. And it isn't only food, also wrapping and packaging.

We throw away massive amounts of food during the holiday season, 40-50 percent, according to the University of Arizona. Food that could be used to feed the hungry and homeless. Part of the problem is that America loves to waste. Our consumer culture leads us to waste all kinds of products, including perishable food that could really help those in need. Now, shipping off Thanksgiving leftovers to some starving child in Africa might not help, but donating food for the holidays could give someone a holiday spread, and reduce the amount of food that is just thrown away.

Keep in mind that American households waste around 14 percent of the food products bought, 15 percent of that amount is still within the expiration date when discarded. If people would plan for what they make and not buy extra, it would reduce the waste significantly. It also helps to save leftovers and eat them later, instead of throwing away what isn't used. According to the same study, food waste equals $43 billion, which is a loss for both families and stores. Using less food reduces the landfill impact and the use of pesticides and herbicides. Composting is also an earth-friendly, though smelly, way to reuse food waste. At the dinner table, using real plates, cups and utensils, instead of paper or plastic would also help reduce overall waste.

The shopping season is also upon us, sending droves of people out to the stores. Bags and packaging from all these items get thrown away and wind up in landfills to await decomposition. The wrapping paper from holiday gifts also gets thrown away, but could be reused next year, even ribbons and bows can be reused with a little tape. These things can be recycled, or repurposed, for instance, wrapping paper from opened gifts can line drawers or be used to wrap gifts next year and cut down on a lot of paper trash. When shoppers hit multiple stores in one trip, each store will put purchases in a new bag. Items can be consolidated into one bag, or even put in a bag brought from home.

Shopping at antique stores or flea markets helps to recycle items too. Antiques are popular, and since they came from someone's home, nothing new had to be done for your gift.

This cuts down on production waste and packaging. Gifts from last year that were unwanted or never returned can be donated to make room for new presents. Donations also help give someone else a happy holiday. Donating to thrift stores can help people give to their families.

Shopping online is a good idea, but make sure that the company uses minimum packaging, and reuse the packing materials if possible. Most of those are not biodegradable, especially "packing popcorn." Using real edible popcorn to pack gifts, though it sounds silly, actually serves the same purpose and can be composted or left outside for birds and other wildlife to eat, this cuts down on non-biodegradable waste. Many containers and plastic bottles can be made into birdfeeders, candle holders, vases or other holiday gifts with a little creativity and time.