Reducing food waste not only helps the environment but also saves money and ensures food resources are used more efficiently.
Here are 25 practical ways to cut down on food waste at home and beyond.
Planning and Shopping Smart
Make a Meal Plan – Plan your meals for the week and create a shopping list to avoid unnecessary purchases.
Check Your Inventory – Before heading to the shop, check your fridge and cupboards to avoid buying duplicates.
Stick to a Shopping List – Impulse purchases often lead to wasted food. Stick to your planned list.
Buy Loose Produce – Only purchase the amount of fruit and veg you actually need instead of pre-packaged quantities.
Understand Expiry Dates – ‘Best before’ dates indicate quality, not safety. Many foods are still good past this date.
Storage and Organisation
Store Food Correctly – Learn where to store different foods to maximise freshness. For example, keep potatoes and onions separate.
Use the First In, First Out Rule – When restocking your fridge or pantry, place older items in front so they get used first.
Freeze Leftovers – If you’ve made too much food, freeze it for later instead of letting it spoil.
Use Airtight Containers – Properly sealing food helps prevent spoilage and keeps it fresher for longer.
Label and Date Food – Marking dates on leftovers or frozen items ensures you know when they should be consumed.
Cooking and Portion Control
Cook in Smaller Batches – Cooking only what you need reduces the chances of leftovers going uneaten.
Measure Ingredients Properly – Avoid excess by using measuring cups and scales to cook appropriate portions.
Repurpose Leftovers – Transform last night’s dinner into a new meal, such as using roast chicken for sandwiches or soups.
Make Soup or Stock – Use vegetable scraps and bones to create homemade stock or soup instead of throwing them away.
Use Every Part of the Ingredient – Don’t throw away broccoli stalks or carrot tops—many ‘scraps’ can be eaten or repurposed, especially in soups or stocks.
Getting Creative with Surplus Food
Blend Overripe Fruit – Make smoothies, jams, or fruit compotes from overripe fruit instead of binning them.
Make Homemade Breadcrumbs – Stale bread can be turned into breadcrumbs, croutons, or even bread pudding.
Pickle or Ferment Veg – Extend the shelf life of vegetables by pickling or fermenting them.
Use Citrus Peels – Zest from lemons and oranges can add flavour to dishes or be used for homemade cleaning solutions.
Make Banana Bread – Overripe bananas are perfect for baking instead of throwing them out.
Community and Composting
Share Excess Food – If you have too much food, offer it to friends, family, or neighbours.
Donate to Food Banks – Unopened, non-perishable foods can help those in need.
Start Composting – Turn unavoidable food scraps into nutrient-rich compost for your garden.
Feed Animals – Some food scraps, like vegetable peels, can be fed to pets or farm animals.
Join a Food Waste App – Use apps like Olio or Too Good To Go to share or rescue surplus food.
By following these tips, you can significantly reduce food waste, save money, and contribute to a more sustainable planet. Small changes add up, so start today and make a difference!
