Easy Ways to Reduce Food Waste

Easy Ways to Reduce Food Waste

Every year, the EU wastes almost 88 million tonnes of food, with more than half originating from households. However, we can all help by changing how we purchase, cook, and plan our meals to prevent wasting food, money, and resources.

In a globe where millions worldwide go starving every day, eliminating food loss and waste is essential. It’s up to us to modify our habits and make food waste a thing of the past!

Here are some easy methods you can use to reduce your food waste.

Easy Ways to Reduce Food Waste

Plan your meals

Easy Ways to Reduce Food Waste - Plan your meals

Only when we can use the foodstuff before expires is it a fantastic value! Please keep in mind that our schedules are often hectic and sometimes unpredictable. ‘Buy one, get the one free,’ and other bulk offers to encourage us to purchase more than we need, resulting in garbage being transported from the store to our homes. Regarding food waste, it is best not to purchase more than you will need.

tips which help you to buy only what you need:

  • Make one week’s worth of food plans
  • Before shopping, check or snap a photo of what’s left in the fridge and cupboards so you know what you have
  • Instead of grocery shopping just before a meal, do so afterwards
  • Make a shopping list with the quantities you will be needed
  • Take into account the possibility of going out to dine
  • Give defective fruits and veggies a chance; they’re edible and nutritious if you give them a chance

Use what you have

  • Regularly check what’s in the fridge and cupboards, and use up things about to expire
  • Any leftover vegetables can be used in a ‘clean-out-the-fridge’ pasta, soup, omelette, or stir fry. We get to try a new dish while avoiding wasting beautiful ingredients
  • Try to make dishes that require a few ingredients
  • Food should be frozen before it expires

Put your food waste to use

Put your food waste to use

Compost compost those food waste instead of throwing them away. This way, you’re returning nutrients to the soil while lowering your carbon impact best eco friendly alternative method to do than just throwing it away.

Pick ugly fruit and vegetables

Food shouldn’t be judged just on its appearance! Vegetables & fruits that are bruised or oddly shaped are frequently avoided because they do not fulfil arbitrary beauty standards. Don’t worry, they both taste the same! Smoothies, desserts, and drinks can benefit from adding these mature fruit.

Freeze extras

Food items can be frozen to help keep them fresh & prevent them from rotting. Many fresh fruits &  vegetables stay well when frozen, extending their life and reducing waste.

Freeze extras

Other things, such as bread, meats, and even some prepared dishes, may keep well in the freezer.

Foods that are used seldom, such as herbs, benefit significantly from freezing. Freezing other fresh fruits and vegetables when they are in season locally can lessen the need to buy them when they are out of season and come from far for individuals trying to eat more sustainably.

Pack a lunch

Bringing food from home is one of the simplest methods to reduce food waste on the fly.

Investing in high-quality, leak-proof food containers that are light and easy to transport will help. Making extra portions of evening meals to preserve in the fridge as ready-to-go packed lunches can minimize spending spare time preparing lunch in the mornings before work or school. This could also help someone save money.

Organizing the kitchen with FIFO

People can keep track of what they have at home and recognize meals that are ready to eat by organizing their refrigerators and pantry.

“FIFO” stands for “first in, first out,” and it’s an excellent way to keep track of your food items in your home. Many grocery and restaurant stores also use this method to minimize waste rather than using various disposal method to get rid of food waste.

Organizing the kitchen with FIFO

Keeping newly purchased food items in the back of the fridge or cabinet will encourage you to use the food in the front row first, ensuring freshness and reducing wastage.

If a person has a lot of tins at home, for example, ensure the ones closest to the expiration date are in the front of the cupboard and used first.

The Bottom Line

You may minimize, reuse, and recycle your food waste in various ways.

The practical recommendations in this article will not only help you waste less food but may also save you money and time.

You can help save some of the world’s most important resources by thinking more about the food your family throws away daily.

Even minor adjustments in how you shop, cook, and consume food can help you lessen your environmental effect. It doesn’t have to be challenging.

With a little effort, you can drastically reduce food waste, save money on clearance cost and time, and relieve some of the load on mother nature.