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I have been practicing sustainable food practices since 2019.
Until then, I was unaware of how much food waste I was generating in my kitchen. I only realized the amount of waste when I started tracking it
Food waste is not as minor an issue as we might think. Moreover, most of it occurs right in our homes.
As per the report by USDA, the average family of four in the United States wastes about $1,500 worth of food each year.
This number is shocking and we should make efforts to reduce this number. In this post, I have mentioned some of the simple, practical ways to reduce food waste at home for a sustainable living.
Understand the Impact of Food Waste
Every time we toss food, we usually think we are just wasting money. However, we’re not only wasting money. We’re also wasting the resources used to grow, transport, and package that food.
For example, food waste contributes to about 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. By reducing waste, we can make a positive impact—and save money too.
Conduct a Food Waste Audit
The first step in reducing food waste is to observe exactly how you are generating the waste. Start tracking what you throw away for a week.
Write down every item you toss and also write the reason why you throw them.
For example, was it expired? Forgotten in the back of the fridge? Or maybe you cooked too much? write down.
In my case, after a week, I realized that I was overbuying produce. So I made some simple adjustments and planned meals before shopping. This helped me in reducing the waste,
Plan Your Meals
Proper meal planning helps you a lot in reducing food waste. It also saves time and makes your grocery shopping less stressful. You can follow these steps,
- Always check your fridge and pantry before making a grocery list.
- Try to plan your meals around ingredients you already have.
- You can use apps like Mealime or Paprika to create recipe ideas. A proper recipe helps you in creating a grocery list.
Since I live in New Jersey, I also make it a point to shop locally when possible. I mostly buy fresh, seasonal produce from the farmers market.
Also Read: How to Create a Zero-waste Kitchen
Shop Smarter to Prevent Overbuying
We mostly buy too much because it was on sale or looked good at the store. This is the most common reason for overbuying.
So you need to stick to a list and should avoid shopping when you’re hungry. If bulk buying is tempting, only do it for items you’re sure you’ll use.
I always buy smaller quantities of perishable items. Because it is better to run out of something occasionally than to waste it because it went bad.
Also Read: 10 Simple Tips for Zero-waste Grocery Shopping
Store Food Properly to Extend Freshness
We should be more careful about food storage in order to reduce food waste. Proper storage of food can make a huge difference in how long it lasts. For example:
- Always keep fruits and veggies in the right spots in your fridge.
- You should store herbs in jars of water like flowers.
- Keep dry fruits in airtight containers to keep them fresh.
I use beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap. This is the best way to keep food fresh and reduce plastic waste.
Get Creative with Leftovers
Don’t throw away leftovers. You can turn last night’s roasted veggies into a delicious frittata or soup.
If you’re not going to eat them right away, then freeze them. I like to batch-cook and portion meals into freezer-friendly containers for quick lunches.
Compost Food Scraps
Even with the best efforts, it is not possible to reuse all the food waste. So composting is an eco-friendly way to give food scraps a second life.
If you’re in an apartment, you can use a small indoor composter. In my apartment, I use an indoor compost bin that’s simple to maintain.
From this, I get nutrition-rich soil for my balcony garden and indoor herb garden.
I have also written a detailed blog on different types of composting you can do in urban areas.
Involve the Whole Family
If you teach and involve your family in this journey of reducing food waste then you will definitely succeed in this task.
Involve kids, and teach them to appreciate food by letting them help with meal prep. You can conduct fun tasks like creating a family challenge to see who can come up with the most creative way to use leftovers.
Reducing food makes your home a more sustainable place. It saves you money too. This way you can contribute to a healthier planet.
In a few months, these sustainable habits will become second nature. So let’s consider any of the above methods and start reducing your food waste for a sustainable living.
