How to Reduce Food Waste in Your Kitchen

Did you know that UK households throw away nearly 6.6 million tonnes of food every year - and most of it could have been eaten? That’s not just a waste of food; it’s a waste of money, energy, water, and all the resources it took to grow and transport it.

At moonmoon, we believe that small changes at home can create a big impact. Whether you're feeding a family or cooking for one, here are our top tips to help you cut down on food waste - starting right in your kitchen.

1. Plan Your Meals and Shop Smart

The biggest cause of food waste? Buying more than we need. Take a few minutes each week to plan your meals and write a shopping list.  Meal planning isn't just about being organised, it's one of the most powerful ways to cut down on food waste before it even starts.

• Start With What You Already Have

Before you plan new meals, open your fridge, freezer, and pantry.  Build your meals around what needs using up first.

• Plan for the Week Ahead

Think about what meals you’ll actually cook (and when), any nights you’re eating out or ordering in and how to repurpose leftovers (e.g. roast veg → soup the next day)

• Write a Targeted Shopping List

Once your plan is set, list only what you need to fill the gaps.
Shopping with intention helps you avoid impulse buys, save money and keeps your fridge from overflowing

• Plan “Use-It-Up” Nights

Designate one night a week to clear out your fridge.  Think: fridge tapas, mixed veggie pasta, omelettes, soups. These “clean-out” meals are fun, waste-free, and budget-friendly.

• Include Freezer-Friendly Meals

Batch cook and freeze meals for busy days — it reduces your chance of takeaway temptation (and food spoilage).  Label your frozen meals with the name + date to avoid mystery dinners.

• Bonus Tip: Save Your Plan

Stick your plan on the fridge. Next week, you can reuse it or tweak it!
Over time, you’ll build a go-to bank of meals that suit your lifestyle - with zero waste and zero stress.

2. Store Food the Right Way

Proper storage extends the life of your food and saves it from the bin. Many items, like leafy greens and herbs, wilt quickly if not stored well.

• Use beeswax wraps to store cut vegetables, cheese, and half-used lemons or avocados. This will help keep them fresher for longer.
• Keep fresh produce like carrots, cucumber or celery crisp in silicone food bags 
• Avoid clingfilm and single-use plastic - it traps moisture and accelerates spoilage.  It's also hard to recycle and often ends up in landfill.

Not sure where to store things? As a rule:

• Top of the fridge: ready-to-eat foods
• Middle: dairy
• Bottom: raw meat/fish
• Drawers: fruits and vegetables

3. Use Up Your Leftovers Creatively

Leftovers don’t have to be boring. Reinvent them into something delicious:

• Roast veg? Turn them into soup, frittatas, or wraps.
• Extra rice? Make fried rice or rice pudding.
• Wilting herbs? Blitz into pesto or freeze in olive oil cubes.

Store in moonmoon silicone bags so you can see them clearly - and remember to eat them!

4. Organise Your Fridge Like a Pro

“Out of sight, out of mind” is the enemy of reducing waste. Keep your fridge tidy and make sure the oldest items are always visible.

Try the FIFO method (First In, First Out):
➤ When unpacking groceries, move older items to the front and put new items at the back.

A clear fridge = less waste and fewer nasty surprises.

5. Understand Expiry Dates

Many people throw food away too early because they confuse:

• Use By: Safety - don’t eat after this date.
• Best Before: Quality - still safe to eat but may not be at peak taste.

If it smells fine and looks fine, it probably is fine (especially dry goods, pasta, rice, etc.).

6. Give Food a Second Life

Don’t bin it — transform it.

• Stale bread? Make breadcrumbs or croutons.
• Overripe bananas? Perfect for baking or smoothies (you can always freeze in a moonmoon bag).
• Leftover wine? Freeze into cubes for cooking.

The more you can reuse, the less you waste and the more creative your kitchen becomes.

7. Compost What You Can’t Save

Even the best planners have scraps. Set up a compost bin for fruit/veg peelings, coffee grounds, eggshells and tea bags. Your garden (or local community garden) will thank you.

8. Invest in Reusables That Work Harder

At moonmoon, we design products that help you waste less and live more sustainably.

✔️ Beeswax Wraps for breathable food storage
✔️ Silicone Food Bags for freezing, storing, and reheating
✔️ Stainless Steel Food Containers to pack leftovers or prep meals ahead

These swaps are simple, affordable, and planet-friendly -  because reducing waste should feel good, not guilt-ridden.

Reducing food waste isn’t about being perfect -  it’s about being mindful. With the right tools, a little planning, and some creativity, your kitchen can become a zero-waste hero.