Holiday Waste | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

Holiday Waste

From Thanksgiving to New Year's, household waste increases 25 percent. Including holiday wrapping, that's a million tons a week added to our landfills—or 40,000 small humpback whales. Here's how it all breaks down:

Trash
You: Four pounds per day
America: 1,000,000 tons per week

Food
You: 100 pounds per year
America: 28 billion pounds per year

Mashed potatoes
You: One tablespoon
America: 16 million pounds per year

Cranberry sauce
You: One spoonful
America: 14 million pounds per year

Turkey with gravy
You: One bite
America: 8 million pounds per year

Ribbon
You: Two feet
America: 38,000 miles

You: Three wrapped gifts
America: 45,000 football fields

Cards
You: One card
America: 50,000 yards

Sources: Cynus Group, EPA, Use Less Stuff

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