There have been efforts made by hotels and airlines alike to reduce their food waste production – all in the bid of the betterment of our environment and helping the world be more sustainable. Bolstered by efforts made by countries such as the implementation of food waste law, we are sure to see a reduction in the food waste produced globally this decade.
As consumers, you can also do your part to help with the food waste situation.
Food Waste Management Starts At Home.
Here are some simple tips you can adopt to start reducing your food waste at home. Aside from helping the food waste situation globally and building a more sustainable world, you can also save some costs by doing these tips!
#1: Shop Smart.
Credits: Unsplash
Ever decided to do an impromptu grocery shopping trip?
Try to reduce this impromptu grocery shopping! Make a list of the items you really need to get from the supermarket. In the list, included which item you want to get and in what quantity. By having a list to follow you through your shopping trip, you will be less tempted to do impulsive purchases of groceries that you will not use, thereby saving some money and reducing your food waste!
#2: Key Track of What You Are Throwing.
Once you know what to buy, the next step is to know what you are throwing away.
Yes, it may sound a bit tedious at first but it will be worth it! Knowing how much you are throwing away on a weekly or monthly basis will let you know if you are overbuying certain items. This is especially true for items that are perishables.
For example, if you find yourself throwing away tons of fruits every week because it is not safe for consumption anymore, you can stop and ask yourself – why is this happening? Are your family members not eating as many fruits as you think they are?
Knowing this and having access to this information will make you more mindful before you make your next purchase!
#3: Eat Your Leftovers.
Overcooked for a particular meal? Don’t just throw the food away!
You can store it and keep it for your next meal. If you are not planning to eat them again so soon, remember to freeze it so you can consume it much later. When you do that, remember to make a note on when you froze the food so you won’t be eating spoilt food!
However, do note that not all cooked food can be re-freeze and kept for consumption, which brings us to the next tip:
#4: Plan Your Meals!
Credits: Unsplash
Before cooking a meal, make an effort to find out a few things:
- How many people are eating the meal?
- Who is eating it? Do they love or dislike any of the dishes you are planning to cook?
When you have this information, you can adjust the amount of each dish you are cooking and keep the remaining ingredients for another day!
Small Steps.
We know that the tips above may not be something you are doing now but doing it often will make it a habit and you will find that it is not too much of an effort!
By adopting the tips above, you can save costs and at the same time, help build a more sustainable world – killing two birds with one stone.