We’ve all done it. That last bit of lasagna in the fridge, the banana that has gone a tad too soft – instead of finding a way to use it, we toss it in the bin. And did you know, in wealthy countries like the UK, around 40% of purchased food ends up being discarded? And that’s not mentioning all the waste during production, transportation, processing, and retailing. We may not mean to, but these wasteful habits are putting a strain on our natural resources and helping contribute to climate change. That’s where you come in! With your help, we can reduce food waste and help the planet become greener and cleaner.
Waste not, want not
With just a little planning, you can make sure your fridge always has enough food to fill your family’s bellies without overflowing the bin. Here are a few ideas to kick-start your food-waste free home!
1. Only buy what you need
You may be thinking, ‘well, duh!’ but sometimes it’s a lot easier said than done. How many times have we gone to the shop with our tummies rumbling only to buy even more food than usual? Try writing down a list of what’s needed and sticking to it. By only buying what you need, you’ll end up saving money as well!
2. Get into meal planning
By planning meals, you’ll know exactly what you need to buy from the store, so there’s no extra waste. In addition, there’s plenty of free meal planning templates online, as well as yummy recipes the whole family will enjoy. Bon Appetit!
Some of our favourite waste-reducing recipes:
- • Overnight oats recipe
- • Apple sauce recipe
- • Homemade hash brown recipe
- • Vegetable pie recipe
- • Bread and butter pudding recipe
- • Hot chocolate recipe
3. Save your scraps for later
Did you know you can save your leftover bits of carrot, celery, and onion to create a simple stock or broth? You can also make pesto out of carrot tops and grow veg from scraps! It’s amazing what you can do with the dinner scraps, so be sure to save them for later.
4. Freeze for later
Are you halfway through the week and realize you won’t be able to use all your veggies? Just chop them up and put them in the freezer! Fruit and veg are still just as tasty and nutritious after freezing and can make a great addition to any pasta, soups, or stews.
5. Try composting
Give your food’s nutrients back to Mother Earth by composting your food scraps. By doing this, you can create a nutrient-rich mixture for your garden beds and reduce your carbon footprint. It’s a win-win!
Composting guides:
- • How to make your own compost bin
- • What’s compost used for?
- • Using eggshells in your garden
- • Your go-to guide to composting
6. Skip the store and join a Modern Milkman milkround
With deliveries up to three times a week, you can order just what you need, when you need it. And with no plastic packaging, you’re helping combat both food and plastic waste. What an eco star!
Simple steps for an eco household
Are you already using any of these tips? Is there any you can start implementing this week? Don’t worry about completing all of these ideas at once, either. Instead, pick one or two ways to reduce your waste and start there – you won’t believe how much you’ve saved with a few simple steps!
