Did you know that nearly three-quarters of the food that’s wasted in the UK is by us in our own homes?
That’s around 4.5 MILLION tonnes of food, just thrown away, according to WRAP. They are a sustainability NGO working with governments, companies and all of us trying to change our food consuming habits and reduce the cost of food waste.
It isn’t just the idea that it could all be eaten but this wasted food is actually damaging the environment. WRAP says food waste is the third biggest producer of CO2, gas, a major contributor to climate change after China and the US.
So, if you want to do your bit to reach zero food waste, here’s how:
Smash®’s 5 ways to reduce food waste:
1. Don’t overbuy
We’ve all done it. Got to the supermarket and been taken in by those half-price and Buy One Get One Free offers. If they’re store cupboard staples or food you can freeze, then that isn’t a problem. Any food with a short sell-by/best-before date is a ticking clock. If you’re not sure what you’re making with it, don’t buy it!
2. Plan ahead
Take the time before you go shopping to review what’s in the fridge and make prepare a meal plan. If your family consists of ravenous teens and young adults whose social lives can be very ad hoc, then try your best to work out who’s around for mealtimes and shop accordingly. If people are coming in at different times pop their meal into a Smash® Blue Stainless Steel Meal Box with airtight lid to keep it fresh. They can simply re-heat in microwave or oven when they’re ready.
3. Buy loose and only what you need
Opt for loose fruit and veg so you’re not buying more than you need. Plastic-free food shopping is also very sustainable as is ‘going wonky’! Some supermarkets and individual companies (like wonkyvegboxes.co.uk) are selling misshapen fruit and veg for a fraction of the price of their ‘normal’ looking counterparts. Bargain!
4. Use your leftovers
Start to think about recipes for leftovers before you create completely new meals which require new ingredients. Use leftovers to minimise your wastage of food and money as well as save yourself time in a busy week. Take your Sunday chicken and turn the leftovers into curry, soup, salad or sandwiches for the kids.
Be prepared to substitute! This way you can also reduce the food you buy using food you already have with just a slight twist to the recipe. Who knows, it might even taste better!
Smash® Stainless Steel Lunch Boxes are perfect for storing leftovers. Their leak proof lids keep food fresh and they are microwave and oven safe so you can store them in the fridge and reheat with ease.
5. Meal Prep and freeze
If you have surplus food, want to eat healthier or simply want to buy in bulk to save money and time then batch cooking may be for you!
Simply plan your meals for the week or if you are really ambitious the month. Create a meal plan of a couple of different meals, build a shopping list and then allow time to make all these meals at once!
Freeze anything you’re not going to eat during the week for low fuss emergency meals when time is tight. No more getting home late, tired and then resorting to unhealthy and expensive takeaway foods. Your meals are already prepared and ready to heat and eat.
Make sure you have plenty of leak proof and airtight containers to portion your meals. Smash® Food Flasks are a great option if you need to keep foods hot on the go! The Smash® Stainless Steel Cutlery Set is the perfect lunch companion ensuring you never have to use disposable communal office forks again!
