Throw Out Your Leftovers Day

Throw Out Your Leftovers Day, celebrated each year on November 29, encourages people to go through their fridge and responsibly discard food that has been sitting too long — especially after large meals or holidays.

History of Throw Out Your Leftovers Day

Throw Out Your Leftovers Day appears on modern food-holiday calendars as a yearly reminder to clean out refrigerators and discard forgotten food.
The observance likely emerged to draw attention to food safety and kitchen hygiene, urging people to check expiry dates and avoid the risks of spoiled food.

Why is Throw Out Your Leftovers Day important?

This day underscores the importance of food safety and good kitchen habits. Leftovers that linger too long can harbor bacteria or lose nutritional value — discarding them can protect health.

It also offers an opportunity for a clean-slate reset: clearing out old items can help reorganize the fridge, reduce clutter, and encourage more mindful cooking and eating routines.

• It helps prevent foodborne illness by encouraging safe disposal of old leftovers.
• It promotes a clean, organized kitchen and fridge space.
• It encourages people to plan meals better to avoid excess leftovers.
• It raises awareness of food safety and storage times.
• It supports a habit of regular kitchen maintenance and healthier eating.

How to Celebrate Throw Out Your Leftovers Day

Use the day as a prompt to check your fridge, freezer, and pantry for any leftovers, expired items, or food you’re unlikely to eat. Discard anything that’s past its safe storage period, looks or smells off, or was forgotten in the back.

You can also use the moment to reorganize your food storage: clean containers, label remaining items with dates, and plan meals more carefully to avoid overcooking — reducing future waste.

• Empty out your fridge and check all containers and packages.
• Discard leftovers older than 3–4 days (or per recommended storage guidelines).
• Clean and sanitize fridge shelves, drawers and containers.
• Label and date leftover containers when you store new food.
• Plan meals for the upcoming days to avoid cooking too much food at once.

Throw Out Your Leftovers Day Dates Table