Food waste has tremendously increased in recent times. According to UNEP’s (United Nations Environment Programme) food waste index report, 68.7 million tons of food are wasted annually in Indian homes. In simple words, almost 50 kg per person of food gets wasted every year. It stands second worldwide in terms of household food waste, followed by China.
Restricting the waste of food is not only good for the environment but also for your wallet. Reportedly, every year, millions and tons of food end up in landfills, thus contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and wasting valuable resources. If you want, you can easily reduce the waste of food with minimal effort. This article will provide easy ways to make a positive impact and reduce the waste of food.
- Plan Meals And Shopping Lists
The most effective way to reduce food waste is to plan your meals and create a shopping list before heading to the grocery store. Take note of the things you already have in the pantry and fridge, freeze and plan your meals accordingly around those ingredients. Be calculative about how much food your household will consume; thus, you will end up buying what you need in the right amounts. By planning ahead, you can avoid overbuying perishable items that will go to waste if not used in time.
- Store Food Properly
With proper storage, you can extend the freshness of fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items. Buy some airtight containers, reusable storage bags, and produce storage bins to keep food fresh for longer. It is advisable to store fruits and vegetables separately to prevent them from ripening too quickly. Keep perishable items at the right temperature in the fridge. Label leftovers with dates so that they can be used before they get spoiled.
- Embrace Leftovers
Leftovers are often discarded, not knowing that they can be lifesavers when it comes to reducing food waste. Get creative and repurpose enough to include leftover food in your new meal. For instance, use leftover vegetables in soups, stir-fries, or omelettes, or make sandwiches and salads from yesterday’s chicken roast. Pick up the habit of planning your leftover nights so you can serve a meal from leftover foods for dinner. This not only reduces food waste but also saves money and time.
- Practice FIFO (First In, First Out)
FIFO is a simple inventory management system used in kitchens and food service establishments where older foods are used before the newer ones. You can also apply this principle at home. Organise your pantry, fridge, and freezer so that older items are placed in front of the newer items. Whenever you are unpacking groceries or preparing meals, make a habit of using the older ingredients first to avoid them getting expired and going to waste.
- Compost Food Scraps
Although you try enough, some foods or others get wasted. Instead of throwing food scraps in the trash, you can compost them. You can compost fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, paper towels, and cardboard. If you don’t have a backyard compost bin, then look into community composting programmes or invest in a countertop composting system. Composting not only reduces waste sent to landfills but also creates valuable fertiliser for your garden.
- Support Imperfect Produce
You can also opt for imperfect fruits and vegetables by supporting initiatives that rescue ugly produce from going to waste. Many grocery shops offer discounts on slightly blemished and misshapen produce that would otherwise have been discarded. Buy vegetables and fruits from local farms that offer variety. Supporting imperfect produce helps reduce food waste and also promotes a more sustainable food system.
