Food waste is a huge environmental and economic problem. In the United States, we waste 40% of all food that is produced! This amounts to 133 billion pounds of food each year. Not only is this detrimental to the environment, but it’s also costly. The average family wastes $1,500 worth of food annually. That’s a lot of money down the drain! In this blog post, we will discuss six ways that you can reduce your food waste and help make a difference.
Reducing food waste – 6 ways to mindfully manage your waste
Food waste is one of the biggest environmental problems we face today. So much so that the United Nations has declared it a global issue and are encouraging people to take action. Now, finding the right solution for this issue is getting easier with time. The technological advancements made it easier for people to develop a better understanding of how they can help the environment. For example, many people are now using reusable bags when they go grocery shopping instead of plastic bags. On the other hand, things like various-sized dumpsters can help you better manage your waste. All of this is to say that there are many ways to help reduce food waste, and we’ve compiled a list of six for you. Moreover, these ways will help you save some money while doing your bit for the environment.
1. Plan your meals ahead of time and only buy what you need
This happens when we don’t plan our meals ahead of time, and we end up impulse buying at the grocery store. To avoid this, take some time each week to plan out your meals. This will help you make a grocery list of only the items you need, and you’ll be less likely to waste food. Most importantly, you’ll save money by not buying things you don’t need.
2. Store food properly so it doesn’t spoil
One of the main reasons food gets wasted is because it spoils before we have a chance to eat it. To avoid this, make sure you are storing your food properly. This means keeping fruits and vegetables in the crisper drawer, meat in the freezer, and bread in a cool, dry place. On many occasions, we forget about the food we have stored, and it ends up going bad. To help with this, set a reminder on your phone or put a note on the fridge to help you remember to use the food before it goes bad.
3. Donate excess food to charity or shelters
If you find that you have food that you won’t be able to eat before it goes bad, consider donating it to a local food bank or shelter. This is a great way to reduce food waste, as well as help those that need it far more than you do. Furthermore, many food banks will also accept non-perishable items such as canned goods and dry goods. They will also take unopened items that you may have bought but didn’t end up using.
4. Compost food waste instead of throwing it away
Another great way to reduce food waste is to compost it. This can be done either in your backyard or indoors. If you don’t have the space for a compost bin, there are now many companies that will pick up your food scraps and compost them for you. Namely, composting waste food is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment. Furthermore, composting your food waste will also create nutrient-rich soil that you can use to grow your own fruits and vegetables.
5. Buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste
One of the best ways to reduce food waste is to buy in bulk. This will help you reduce packaging waste, as well as save you money in the long run. When buying in bulk, make sure to only buy what you need and can use before it goes bad. More importantly, bulk buying is only economical if you have the storage space to keep the food.
6. Avoid pre-packaged foods
Pre-packaged foods are often one of the biggest culprits of food waste. This is because they often come in large quantities, and we don’t always finish them before they go bad. To avoid this, try to purchase whole, unpackaged foods whenever possible.
In conclusion, there are many ways to reduce food waste. By following these simple tips, each day, you can make a big impact on the amount of food that is going to waste. Not to mention, you’ll also save money in the process. So next time you’re at the grocery store, think about how you can reduce your food waste. And remember, every little bit counts.
