Holiday parties can be a lot of fun, but they often leave a trail of extra food scraps behind. From buffet leftovers to napkin piles and half-eaten cookies, the trash fills up fast. Tossing all of it out might feel like the easiest thing, but it’s also one of the biggest ways we add waste this time of year.
Instead, there’s a simple option that keeps things cleaner without extra work: composting. With a few habits in place and something like 13 gallon compostable trash bags, we can manage food waste from holiday parties without stress. All it takes is a little prep before guests arrive and a plan for what happens once they head home.
Get Your Compost Spot Ready Before the Party
A smooth cleanup starts with a setup that actually works. That means giving party guests (and ourselves) an easy, visible place to toss scraps.
• Pick a compost spot that people can find but won’t trip over. Corners of the kitchen, a covered porch, or even the garage can work well.
• Set out a designated bin lined with 13 gallon compostable trash bags. This size usually handles party cleanup without needing to be swapped out mid-event.
• Label the bin so people understand what can go in. A quick handwritten sign taped above, listing items like banana peels, bread crusts, and paper napkins, makes a big difference in cutting down sorting time later.
• Put one small bowl or counter tray near the serving area to collect quick-drop scraps like orange rinds or toothpicks. Food doesn’t always make it to the big bin unless it’s within reach.
Getting organized before the party even starts means fewer questions during cleanup and fewer chances that compostable scraps end up in the trash.
Our 13 gallon compostable trash bags are made from plant-based materials and are certified for home and municipal composting. They provide a durable, leak-resistant lining that stands up to both wet and dry scraps throughout the event, making the entire process easier and more effective.
Know What Holiday Leftovers Can Be Composted
Once bottles are stacked and leftovers are clearing out, it helps to know what really belongs in the compost bin. Most of the time, party food scraps fall into compost-friendly territory without needing much sorting.
• Almost all fruit and vegetable peels are fine to toss in. So are stale bread chunks, half-eaten rolls, and plain cooked pasta. Even used paper napkins or unbleached parchment paper can go in, depending on what's on them.
• Avoid greasy items, anything covered in cheese or cream, and meats. These do not compost well at home and can attract pests or slow things down in your bin.
• Cardboard snack boxes (as long as they’re not glossy), paper muffin wrappers, and baking paper scraps are all solid additions. Just make sure they didn’t soak up greasy drips or end up covered in frosting.
When in doubt, trust your nose and touch. If it feels oily or sticky, it’s probably best left out. Compost setups do better with clean, dry scraps as their base.
Build a Routine for Fast Post-Party Cleanup
The last guests have left, and now it’s you, your cozy socks, and a kitchen full of half-cleared dishes. This is where a quick compost routine helps us keep cleanup from dragging out all night.
• As part of our closing process, we always assign one person to be the compost point person. It’s their job to check food trays, empty the small onsite counter bins, and guide things into the larger compost bags or bins.
• Throughout the party, we use bags for compostables and fill them as we go. After the event, it’s just about moving them to the outdoor pile or storage spot, not sorting last minute.
• For areas with curbside green waste pickup, we keep filled bags near the front door or back steps. Labeled properly, they’re easy to grab when collection day comes.
Cleanup doesn’t have to be a multi-hour event. When we fit composting into our rhythm, it starts to feel as normal as stacking the dishes or putting leftovers in the fridge.
Easy Add-Ons to Keep Compost Low-Odor and Low-Stress
If you’ve composted before, you know smell can show up fast when things stay wet and packed together. A few extra steps can help keep bins fresh and usable through the holidays.
• Mix in dry material like newspaper shreds or fall leaves whenever you add food scraps. This balances out moisture and helps air move better through the pile.
• If guests bring dishes with meat or dairy, and bits end up in the bin by mistake, don't stress it. Just tuck those scraps in the freezer until trash day rolls around. They'll stay contained and won’t invite critters or smells.
• Keep a scoop of dry browns (like sawdust, paper, or leaf mulch) in a covered storage bin next to the pile. It takes just a second to sprinkle a layer onto new food scraps after each party.
Tiny habits like these stop the compost from turning into another thing you have to manage. It’s quiet, it’s clean, and it’s one less item on your mind during busy weeks.
A Smarter Way to Close Out the Season
Holiday hosting always comes with a bit of extra effort, but waste doesn’t have to be one of the big headaches. With just a little prep and a solid place for guests to put scraps, composting folds right into the party flow.
Instead of stacking up the trash, we’re sending food scraps back into the soil or compost bin where they turn into something useful. It feels better, looks better, and doesn’t take extra time once we get the basics in place. Plus, it helps us kick off the new year with a cleaner space and less guilt about where things end up after the party.
Composting can make holiday cleanup easier, especially when you have reliable tools ready. We like to keep one bin lined with something sturdy, like our 13 gallon compostable trash bags, so we can focus on good food and great company rather than cleanup. It’s a small change that helps keep our home tidy and our holiday routine simple. At Plastno, we’re always coming up with ways to help you reduce waste and make sustainable habits effortless. If you have questions or want guidance choosing the right setup, reach out to us anytime.
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