Reducing Food Waste : Wasted food has become an ever-increasing social problem. As global populations increase, more food than ever is wasted due to our incompetence – an estimated one third of food produced for human consumption goes uneaten and thus wastes valuable resources which could otherwise be better put elsewhere.
There are easy things that everyone can do to reduce food waste and protect the environment, and in this article we’ll present seven strategies to do just that! Changing just a small part of our daily habits could have an enormously positive impactful statement about combatting food waste together.
Reduce Food Waste
1. Learn To Store Food Properly
Eating healthily and efficiently are integral to reducing food waste, but proper storage is equally as crucial. Our aim should be to protect it from spoilage; you can do this by keeping it cool, properly storing it and keeping out pests. Keeping room temperature could actually extend its shelf life significantly! To achieve this goal, store in cool dark places as much as possible and limit spoilage rates.
Fresh fruits and vegetables should be stored in the refrigerator, covered to protect it from pests and sunlight exposure; containers or bags work for grains and beans while keeping all items separate will decrease chances that any one food spoils another one.
2. Buy Only What You Need
Consumers create food waste when they purchase too much and discard excess. So the next time you go shopping, take note of what items and foods are in your shopping basket; do any items seem excessive? By buying only what is necessary you will significantly decrease food waste; if this proves challenging then creating a meal plan in advance may help ensure only necessary purchases occur.
3. Donate Unneeded food
If there’s food that has gone uneaten in your household that has reached its expiration date, donate it to a food bank. These charitable institutions receive many donations every year but often lack fresh produce and dairy items; consider giving something you no longer use to help feed those in need! Or consider giving money instead as every dollar donated feeds three people!
4. Use Up Leftovers
Utilize leftovers can be an easy and cost-cutting way to save money and reduce food waste. Plan to have enough left over from each meal you cook so there will be leftovers for meals throughout the week or post your surplus on websites like We Eat Leftovers for others to come pick it up and consume it.
5. Compost Food Waste
Composting is an ideal way to turn potential problems into solutions; whether at home or commercially. Composted food waste serves as natural fertilizer which will benefit crops as well as provide invaluable resource to gardens.
6. Reduce Portion Sizes
It might come as a surprise, but serving larger portions can increase food waste. For example, if you normally eat two slices of bread for lunch but start serving three, the extra slice could go straight in the bin! To further minimize food waste and wasteful wasting, serve yourself smaller portions; half what is normally consumed should fit on one plate – that way if there are leftovers they can go back in the refrigerator until another time when eating is convenient for you.
Also read: Uncovering the Many Hidden Benefits Of Onions – A Superfood That Does Wonders!
7. Educate Others About Food Waste
Be it your mission to inform others about food waste! Inform friends and family on ways they can reduce it; participate in campaigns like #FoodWasteHero on social media; share articles and statistics related to this issue on social media with followers; or even create your own blog dedicated to this cause!
Food waste is a serious environmental and social problem, yet can be reduced through simple lifestyle adjustments. By understanding what constitutes waste food, storing your groceries properly, purchasing only what is essential and composting food scraps you can significantly decrease food waste and help save the planet!