Food Waste: How to waste less.

We’ve already taken a look at the causes of food waste, what we can do about it, and its impact on the environment. Below we take a look at some things we can do to ensure we are wasting as little as possible.

Don’t over buy.

We’re all guilty of going to the supermarket without a plan and buying what we think we need and not what we actually need. The best way to nip this in the bud is by taking the time to plan your meals for the week and making a list of exactly what we need to buy from the supermarket.

Whether you like to batch cook or have a little bit more time and prefer to cook all your meals just before you eat, planning these meals out will ensure that you don’t buy too much food and stop you from contributing too much food waste to the landfill. Don’t worry if it doesn’t work out brilliantly the first few times, keep trying and you’ll find your way of doing things eventually!

Understand date labelling.

Misunderstanding date labelling on products is a huge factor in the amount of food we waste but it’s relatively simple to understand if you take a minute to learn the different labels. Below are the definitions of what these labels mean:

Use by: Used on food that goes off quickly, “use by” is the most important date to consider, as it relates to food safety. You shouldn’t use any food or drink that has passed this date, even if it looks and smells fine. Sometimes the life of these foods can be extended by freezing, but make sure to check the instructions on the packaging.

Best before: Used on products to denote when it is at its best, after this date the food is still edible but might begin to lose its flavour or texture. The “best before” date is only accurate if you have stored the food according to the instructions on the packaging.

Sell by: Used by retailers, mainly for stick control purposes. They are instructions for shop staff and not shoppers. The important dates for you to look out for are “use by” and “best before”.

Buy frozen & freeze leftovers/batches.

Buying frozen food is a great way to avoid food waste. Lots of the fresh produce we buy can be bought in frozen form, and it is often just as nutritious (if not more so)! 

It’s also kind on your pocket, with lots of frozen options working out cheaper than fresh ingredients.

So, what can we buy frozen that we might ordinarily buy fresh?

Veggies! Vegetables are super versatile, but sometimes we struggle to use them all up while they are still fresh. The main reason we throw away lots of things like mushrooms, onions, and cabbage is that we haven’t managed to use them in time.

Swapping fresh for frozen can also be a great time-saver, as they usually come pre-prepared! You can also buy bags of mixed veg, meaning you aren’t having to buy carrots, peas, broccoli, and sweet corn separately!

Lots of us love our meat, and you can buy this frozen too. Pork and poultry feature amongst the most wasted food in the UK but both can be bought frozen, and this is usually cost effective as well. Sausages, burgers, and mince are all available in the frozen aisle.

As well as veggies and meat, you can buy your fruit, desserts, and pastries in frozen form, just make sure you have enough room in your freezer!

When all else fails, compost!

Sometimes you just have some scraps that you can’t find a use for, and that’s ok! But food scraps are the number one material sent to landfills, and there they become greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming. The best way to combat this is by composting at home, and it’s easier than you think.

If you have a garden, find a dry, shady spot for you compost bin. Add all of your scraps, grass clippings, tea and coffee grounds to the bin and intermittently add brown material (things like dead leaves from your garden, sawdust or wood chips). Make sure you keep the compost moist by adding in some water here and there, but not too much! Depending on your compost bin, you can turn the mixture every now and again to provide aeration; this helps to speed us the process.

If you don’t have an outside space, you should make sure that you collect your scraps in a small compost bin and dispose of them in your garden waste bin (or check with your local council about how to compost in your area).

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