The UK throws away 9.5 million tonnes of food each year, with over a third of that waste coming from households (WARP UK). The majority of this waste is made up of food that could have been eaten, such as bread, fruits, and vegetables.
There are various organizations and government initiatives in the UK working to reduce food waste and promote sustainable kitchen practices. For example, the government's "Love Food Hate Waste" campaign aims to educate the public about the environmental and economic impacts of food waste and provide practical tips for reducing it.
There are several ways we can all do our part to reduce food waste in the kitchen:
Plan your meals: Before going grocery shopping, plan out what meals you will make for the week and make a list of the ingredients you will need. This will help you to only buy what you need and reduce the likelihood of buying items that will go to waste.
Store food properly: Proper storage can help to keep food fresh for longer. Use airtight containers, reusable silicone bags, or wrap food tightly in beeswax wraps to reduce exposure to air.
Use a grocery list: Make a grocery list before going shopping and stick to it. This will prevent impulse buying, which often leads to food waste.
Be mindful of expiration dates: Check expiration dates before purchasing items and be sure to use them before they expire. You can also freeze before the expiry date if you don't think you will use it in time but be sure to check how long it can be frozen for.
Be creative with leftovers: Turn leftovers into new meals rather than throwing them away. For example, leftover cooked vegetables can be added to an omelette or a soup. Our reusable silicone bags are perfect for storing leftovers in the fridge or freezer.
Compost food scraps: Composting food scraps is a great way to reduce food waste. Composting can also provide a valuable source of nutrients for your garden or house plants.
Donate food: If you have excess food that you know you will not be able to use before it goes bad, consider donating it to a local food bank or shelter.
