Holidays in Big Bear Valley mean a full house, more cooking and a lot more packaging. A little planning keeps the trash manageable, helps your recycling get recycled and keeps bears out of your carts.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, one-third of all food in the United States goes uneaten, and the average family of four spends almost $3,000 a year on food that never gets eaten. Holiday meals are a good time to cut that down.

• Check your fridge, freezer and pantry before you shop.
• Plan your menu around your guest count, and buy only what those meals need.
• Don’t leave perishable food out for more than two hours.
• Store leftovers in clear containers labeled with the date.
• Freeze what you won’t eat in time.

Following the Big Bear Disposal, Inc. Recycling Guide keeps your blue cart clean and your recyclables usable.

• Rinse containers so they’re free of food. Food-stained containers go in the trash.
• Recycle foil only if it’s rinsed clean.
• Remove lids from food and beverage containers.
• Save bottles and cans with California Redemption Value (CRV) for the Buy-Back Center at 41970 Garstin Drive, open Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (closed 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.).

More cooking means more tempting smells in your carts. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife advises securing food and trash so black bears aren’t drawn to homes.

• Keep cart lids closed and latched.
• Wait until the morning of your pick-up day to put carts out. They need to be out by 6:30 a.m.
• In the City of Big Bear Lake, carts can’t sit at the street for more than 24 hours before or after collection.
• Bear-proof carts are available from Big Bear Disposal, Inc. for a one-time fee.

Fireplace and wood stove ashes must soak in water for at least 48 hours before they go in the trash.

• Thanksgiving week, some residential pick-up days shift. See our Thanksgiving pick-up schedule for the details. Our office is closed Thursday, November 26, and reopens Friday, November 27.
• Extra trash after a busy weekend? City of Big Bear Lake residents (92315) can use the Clean Bear Site at 41970 Garstin Drive, open daily 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with proof of residency.
• Bigger cleanup? A 4-yard Rent-a-Bin holds household trash and yard waste. Call (909) 866-3942 to schedule one.

From all of us at Big Bear Disposal, Inc., happy hosting.

These tips are for Big Bear Disposal, Inc. customers. Big Bear City, Sugarloaf and Erwin Lake commercial customers are served by Big Bear City CSD at (909) 585-2565.