See that wilted kale, stale bread, and mystery leftovers lingering in the fridge? Don't toss them just yet! With a bit of savvy thinking, you can reduce household food waste and save some serious cash.
In the UK, the average family throws away £60 of food per month that could have been eaten. That adds up to £720 per year wasted! This money could be used towards a family holiday, but instead, it is ending up in the bin.
Ready to stop throwing away money and reduce your environmental impact? Read on for 10 brilliant food waste solutions you can start today. With a few simple hacks, you'll cut waste while eating fresher and healthier meals and saving those pennies. Let's dive in!
- Proper storage
Improving how you store food makes a massive difference in extending freshness.
- Swap plastic bags for reusable silicone bags - they prevent your food from going soggy and are BPA free.
- Use glass and stainless steel containers over plastic tubs.
- Beeswax wraps keep produce fresh for longer versus plastic wrap, plus they are biodegradable.
- Glass jars can be used to preserve food and keep it fresh for longer.
- Smaller Portions
Resist the urge to cook more than you and your family can eat. Start cooking smaller amounts more frequently to ensure it all gets eaten while fresh.
- Eat leftovers first
Stop letting leftovers languish. Prioritize eating them within 3-4 days before cooking new meals. Soups, stews, and curries often taste better as leftovers anyway!
4. Creative recycling
Breathe new life into limp produce and day-old bread with creative recipes. Wilted veggies are perfect for stir-fries, soups, and smoothies. Stale bread makes excellent croutons, breadcrumbs, or French toast.
- Freeze it
Freezing is one of the best ways to save food that you won't use in time. Seal meats, baked goods, soups, berries, and more in reusable silicone freezer bags. They prevent freezer burn and can be cooked directly in the bag in the oven or microwave.
- Compost
Don't bin food scraps - compost them! Fruit peels, egg shells, and veggie trimmings create nutrient-rich fertiliser for plants.
- Inventory Check
Frequently check your fridge, freezer, and pantry so you know what needs using soon. Ensure that the products with the closest expiry date are at the front of your cupboard so that you don't forget them!
- Shop smart
Plan meals, make lists, and only buy what you need at the shops. This can be done each week, or even monthly. Going shopping with a plan stops impulse buys that lead to food waste.
- Use everything
Broccoli stems, beetroot greens, citrus peels...get creative and use every edible part of ingredients. Produce scraps often taste delicious in recipes.
- Share any surplus
If you've got more food than you can eat, share it! Tools like Olio connect people to share surplus food locally.
So, with a few changes, cutting food waste is totally doable. Try out these genius tips to save money, eat fresher, and reduce waste. Your wallet and the planet will thank you!