Reduce Food Waste for Green Reasons and Save Money Too

Food waste in both residential and commercial settings means energy and resource losses. For one thing, the energy that is wasted between the field and the fork could reach as much as 50 percent. For another thing, food is food and it is a resource more than half the world will appreciate going to their stomachs instead of the disposal system. Plus, agriculture requires water and we all know how much of a valuable resource water is. Thus, it is very important to conserve energy and resources, not to mention your money, by reducing food waste. Let these practical tips be your start to going green.

Organize, Check and Clean Your Fridge and Pantry

You will be surprised to know that your fridge and pantry host many food items that could have been used, instead of wasted, had you taken the time to check and clean them regularly. For example, food leftovers and opened food boxes are often pushed to the back, which are then forgotten and, hence, wasted.

To reduce waste, you must organize your fridge and pantry, to wit: essentials at the front, indulgences at the middle and extras at the back. Or you can also organize it according to expiry dates. Whatever method used, the important thing is to ensure that every food will be consumed.

Shop with a List, Shop Wisely

When going grocery shopping, always have a shopping list with you and stick to it. This way, you can avoid purchasing unnecessary items and, thus, save your money. And you know that whatever food items you bought will be indeed be consumed by the family, thus, avoiding food waste. Sure, you can save money when buying in bulk but keep in mind that this is definitely not applicable to all grocery products especially food items. If you really have to buy in bulk, make sure that it will not spoil easily and it will not go waste.

Use Leftovers and Enforce No Dregs Policy

Leftovers can be recycled, too! For example, you can use pot roast leftovers to make tasty sandwiches. Look for more ideas over the Internet, ask family and friends for recipes, and just be creative with food. And remember the annoying habit of leaving behind small dregs of food in the fridge only to be thrown out? Well, you can enforce a “no dregs” policy in the house. Every chip and crumb must be consumed!

Now, if said leftovers and dregs are no longer fit for human consumption, then adding them to your vermicompost is an excellent idea. You can even grow your own food from your backyard.

Plan Meals in Advance

If you plan your meals in advance, you can shop for what you need for the week or month. This tip is obviously tied to shopping with a list. It has the added advantage of planning your meals according to nutritional requirements as well as cutting down on junk foods. Also, it does help to exercise portion control when planning your meals. Through trial and error, you can determine just the right amount of a certain food to cook that will ensure every crumb can either be consumed or recycled. And you can prevent overeating, too!

There are many more ways to reduce food waste, of course. It’s up to you to determine what best suits your lifestyle and beliefs.

Filed under: Reuse Reduce Recycle

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