Throw Out Your Leftovers Day

Throw Out Your Leftovers Day is celebrated in the US on November 29^th. The purpose of the holiday is to get people to take a look in their refrigerators and discard any spoiled food that has been sitting there for too long. We’ve all been guilty of this at some point or another, and this day serves as a reminder to be mindful of the food we have in our homes.

History

The habit of hoarding leftovers is often caused by an incorrect approach to food preparation. Families may find themselves consuming less than what has been cooked, leaving the rest to spoil in plastic containers or covered on plates. Not only does this create a foul odor, but these products can also be toxic. This holiday serves to encourage people to throw away the spoiled food and learn how to better gauge the amount of food they prepare.

Interesting facts

• 50% of the food produced in the world is never eaten.
• $1 trillion is spent on food that ends up in the trash.
• 10% of the planet’s greenhouse gases come from food waste.
• Rotting food releases methane 28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.
• Every 9 people in the world do not have enough food.
• Just one-fourth of the total amount of wasted food could feed more than 800 million people.
• Most people don’t realize how much food they throw away.

How to take part

Open the refrigerator and collect all the spoiled food in a trash bag. Take the time to calculate how much food your family needs and purchase items accordingly. If everyone pays attention to this, the Earth will be much greener!

When is Throw Out Your Leftovers Day celebrated in 2023?

Throw Out Your Leftovers Day is observed on November 29 each year.

Observations