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how to reduce food waste at home

Food waste is a huge problem that is often overlooked. According to the EPA, in 2018 alone, 68% of wasted food culminated in about 42.8 million tons. That gives bin hire companies plenty work on their hands and shows that the world needs to reduce its food waste. The sustainable management of food and waste reduction will ensure the effective management of food such that communities deprived of this will also benefit. Here are some tips to reduce food waste at home.

 

Manage leftovers

Food that is left over after a meal is not wasted. It simply means it was not consumed, so do well to preserve it for the next meal. Not only will this approach reduce food waste, but it will also stretch your weekly meal. You can also get creative with leftover food and experiment with new recipes.

 

Plan your meals

To plan your meals, all you need to do is make a list of the groceries you will need. Then with this list in mind, you can prepare for the week. Such planning will also ensure that you save money and eat healthily. Buying just what you need in the interim ensures that you keep your ingredients fresh and use them well. This will help you reduce food waste in the home.

 

Here are some things to note as well. Always add quantities of items you want to buy to cover the number of meals you plan to make. Do a quick check of your refrigerator before going grocery shopping to ensure you do not buy what you already have at home. Consider the meals that your household enjoys and make sure those ingredients are not in short supply.

 

Shop smart

The key to preventing food waste and saving money is shopping smartly. To be a savvy shopper, there are few things you need to look out for. The first thing to pay attention to is the labels. Check every item for the “best before” and “packaged on” dates. These dates tell how the items have been on the shelf and how long till they go bad. When you buy perishable produce, separate foods such as fish, poultry, and meats from the other foods; if possible, take a cooler along to keep them cold. Look out for the seal on boxed, packaged, or canned food, and ensure it is not broken before purchasing it. Also, avoid cans that look cracked, dented, or those that are bulging or leaking.

 

Food storage

It will be beneficial to learn proper food storage tips. But there are some general tips you can use. For example, before you go grocery shopping, be sure you have cleared enough space in your refrigerator for the perishable foods. Place perishable foods in the fridge or freezer as soon as you get home. Ensure you place them correctly to promote the easy circulation around them to keep them fresh for longer. For foods that you can store for long, you should apply pantry rules such as “first in, first out.” This is to ensure that the old stock is used first. Keep this in mind when stocking your pantry and constantly check for expiry dates so that you do not mistakenly use expired foods in your meals.

 

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