undefined According to the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a nonprofit conservation group, over Thanksgiving, Americans wasted about 204 million pounds of turkey. There are some creative ways to cut down on the amount of food wasted. Using already-cut vegetables, or other pre-prepared foods, can actually cut down on food waste. Give yesterday’s dinner a new life in a new recipe. Transform grilled chicken, steak or veggies into sandwiches or pasta salad. Carefully planning the quantities you actually need for a Thanksgiving meal is another good way to reduce waste.