Simple Tips to Reduce Food Waste

Looking at food waste figures can be daunting, it is a complicated field to navigate as there are so many factors to consider; household, industrial, agricultural, retail and so on. All contribute to it and all need to be managed and handled correctly but sometimes the stats we see, that are put in front of us, can seem confusing or irrelevant to us. I get that. However, we all can make a difference and it is becoming ever apparent that we need to. Whatever the figures are right now, we are not there yet, this is clear; and with both greenhouse gases and food poverty on the rise we must ask ourselves what we can do to reduce food waste right now, here are my simple tips.

Be Honest and Realistic

The message I always push when it comes to zero-waste is that little steps are the most helpful, you don’t need to be perfect and do what you can. The reality is, some of us will not likely achieve true zero waste because our personal situations don’t allow it but that’s OK, it’s all about the journey rather than the destination. Millions wanting and trying to make a difference will do much more good than thousands doing so perfectly.

So, before anything; take a look at your situation and be honest, know what you use and why. Don’t be so passive that you fail to question your habits and needs but also avoid getting caught in a loop of forcing yourself to change something you cannot. It is especially easy to do this if you have a disability or are a carer of some sort.

Being honest will help you make smart, informed decisions.

Don’t Over-Buy

I don’t think I’ve met anyone who hasn’t been guilty of this at some stage or other and getting it right takes some serious practice.
Supermarkets are designed to entice and seduce us and it is easy to buy more than we can manage because it is “better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it”. Of course, this isn’t true.

Food that isn’t used comes with an environmental cost to us but also a cost to the planet, especially if it ends up in landfill. So, take inventory and stick to the plan.

Freeze

Freezing food can prolong use by or turn leftovers into an additional meal; sometimes it can compromise taste a little, but if an option it makes sense to do so.
If there is ever confusion as to whether you can freeze something, there are reliable sources online such as the FSA.

Speaking of Leftovers…

If unlike me, cooking is your thing and you are looking to do more with leftovers or generally be more creative with ingredients; then the BBC’s got your back, Jack.
Of course, there are numerous other sources out there to keep help do so.

Practice Portion Control

Rice and Pasta are incredibly difficult to get right and most people steer towards too much rather than too little.

I can’t remember where I read this, I know it was on one of my fellow eco-blogger’s feeds. Perhaps Facebook? Or maybe Twitter? I don’t know but the point is that even keen zero-wasters fall into the trap of inadvertently having enough left over the feed a whole second family sometimes.

Of course, this is a slight exaggeration (sort of) but it is a problem and another one that we are all guilty of. If this is something you are struggling with, there are handy guides out there to help you get on top of it.