10 ways to reduce food waste
Australians throw away almost one in every five bags of groceries that we buy. That’s $8 billion worth of edible food that is going into landfill.
If you’re concerned about the future of our planet, as well as the money in your pocket, consider some of our simple tips below to see you reduce your food waste at home.
1. Buy good quality, ethical food
Think about it, wouldn’t you feel bad about tossing out some locally grown produce compared to a zucchini from a major supermarket. Buying quality food from farmer’s markets or online produce delivery companies gives you the story of the food. Once you buy into that, the idea of throwing the farmer’s hard work in the bin just seems wrong.
2. Plan your meals for the week
Have you ever noticed that when you just do a grocery shop and buy things you might need, you can often realise you don’t actually have enough groceries to cook full meals? This leads you to either waste things as you can’t use them, or going out and buying even more. This is where meal planning can help – even a vague plan such as ‘soup on Mondays’ means you will go to the shops and see what veggies are on sale to use in your meal. Knowing roughly what you are going to cook means you will have everything you need, and nothing you don’t. It also cuts down on your take away as you know you have all the ingredients on hand to make a tasty dinner already.
3. Make your own stock
Our parents and grandparents did it, but the idea of a household making its own stock seems to have fallen out of favour. But the health benefits are huge, as well as the cost saving benefits (have you seen how much they charge for two litres of fresh chicken stock?). Save the carcass and even the bones from the plates of two roast chickens by freezing them. When you are ready to make it, add the bones to a large stock pot with a halved onion (no need to peel), a halved carrot, some chopped celery, and a handful of herbs. Cover with cold water, bring to the boil, and then simmer for around 4 hours. Strain and cool before storing in the fridge or in one-cup portions (or ice cube trays) in the freezer. Use your stock to make gravy, risottos, casseroles and sauces.
4. Store your produce correctly
Much of the time, we end up throwing away things like fruit and veggies as they go rotten before we have time to eat them. Prolong their life by storing them in the right way. For instance keep sweet potato, potato and onions in a cool dark place such as the bottom of the pantry to make them last longer. Wash your lettuce and then use a salad spinner to remove all of the water before storing it in a plastic tub with some damp paper towel on top.
5. Use the whole vegetable
Depending on how you are serving it, there’s really no need to always peel your vegetables – sweet potato, potato and pumpkin skin goes super sweet and crisp when roasted. Celery leaves can be added to your homemade pesto. Broccoli leaves and stem taste great when steamed along with the florets.
6. Use up produce on its way out
Not so keen on using that sad looking zucchini in your stir fry? Try adding it to a green smoothie instead with a cup of milk, half a frozen banana, two tablespoons of natural yoghurt, a tablespoon of oats and a teaspoon of natural peanut butter. If you’ve bought some fresh herbs and only used some of it – whiz the rest up with a handful of nuts, Parmesan, salt and pepper and olive oil to make a quick pesto. For yoghurt that is about to turn, try freezing it in ice cube trays to later add to smoothies.
7. Understand labels
Many people worry about eating foods that are past their best, especially things like milk or yoghurt. It’s important to know the difference in labeling - the ‘use-by’ date means it needs to be eaten prior to that date, whereas the ‘best before’ date indicates that it is still safe to eat after that date but may be past its best. If in doubt, use your nose, and if it smells off then toss it.
8. Avoid over-buying
Offers such as ‘3 for the price of 2’ or 1kg packets of apples instead of individual ones can encourage us to buy more than we need. Always think realistically about what your household can get through that week before you load your trolley up. If you know you are away for the weekend, buy less than you normally would to avoid coming back to mouldy bread on the bench.
9. Do a kitchen audit before you shop
Many of us are guilty of coming home with our groceries only to realise that we’ve now got two bunches of bananas and three bags of lettuce to get through. It takes no time at all to do a quick scan of the fridge and pantry before you go shopping to do a mental audit of what you already have, and what you actually need. It will save you money as well as reducing your waste.
10. Share with those in need
How many times have you seen platters of sandwiches go to waste after a meeting, or loaves of bread sitting idle after a corporate BBQ? There are organisations that can come and pick up food to give to those in need. Contact OzHarvest which operates in Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, the Gold Coast, Newcastle and Perth.
Related links:
Why you shouldn’t pre-rinse before putting items in dishwasher
Tricks to cut vegetables faster
Simple old-fashioned laundry tips