Food waste can be damaging to our planet and environment. It is a major factor contributing to climate change and emissions. Many people waste food unintentionally or do not think about the affect it has on the environment. However, there are ways that you can reduce food waste and become more environmentally friendly.
Buy What You Need
When shopping, it can be easy to impulsively buy. Make a conscious effort to make a shopping list of things you need for the week and stick to it. This may include food for meal prep which can help you avoid impulsive and unnecessary purchases.
Store Food Correctly
A lot of the time, food is stored incorrectly which leads to rotting. It is important to know how to store your food correctly. For e.g., potatoes, cucumbers and onions should not be kept in the fridge.
It is also important to know which food to keep separated from others. For e.g., bananas, avocados, peaches and tomatoes can prematurely ripen other food and cause wastage.
Don’t Throw Away Leftovers
Get into the habit of eating leftovers. Whether this be having it for dinner the next night, taking it to work for your lunch or giving it to others to eat instead of throwing it away. Not only does throwing away leftovers cause wastage, but it is also a waste of money. Get the most out of your weekly shop by using those leftovers that you have already prepared.
Portion Sizes
Carrying on from the leftovers point, it is important to understand portion sizes. It can be an easy to habit to overload your plate with food, however, not only can this be incredibly unhealthy, but it encourages food waste. When we don’t finish the food on our plate, we are more than likely to throw it away. Keep your portions in check and only serve what you know will get eaten.
