10 Ways to Reduce Food Waste at Home
September 21, 2012; 1:05 PM
Care2.com
Here in the U.S., we waste a shameful amount of food. I've seen estimates that we waste between 30 and 40 percent of the food that we produce. While of course some of that waste happens during processing, in restaurants, and even on the farm, the part that we as individuals can control is how much food we personally waste.
Wasted food is wasted money, and what's worse is that the food waste that we send to landfills breaks down to produce methane, a greenhouse gas that's far more harmful than CO2. Luckily, from your shopping cart to your kitchen and even when you're eating out, there are lots of ways that you can waste less food to save money and protect the planet.
Related Reading: 6 Ways to Revamp Your Leftovers
Do you feel a pang of guilt when discover a container that used to contain food but now contains an alien life form in the back of your fridge? Check out these tips!
10 Ways to Reduce Food Waste
Tip: Of course, even with the best intentions, sometimes you still might end up having to toss some food. Meat, dairy, and fatty foods can't go in the compost bin, but if it's possible to compost your food waste, you're at least diverting it from the landfill!
1. Rearrange your fridge. Did you know that different parts of your refrigerator are ideal for storing different sorts of food? Check out this graphic showing how to organize your fridge to make your food last longer!
2. Find a grocery auction. Grocery stores yank food from their shelves when they pass the sell by date, but that date is only a guideline. Some grocery stores are now auctioning off past-due food that's still probably safe to eat.
3. Rearrange your fridge again. So, you've got everything on the right shelf or in the proper drawer. Now, see what food looks like it's going to spoil the soonest, and move that to the front of your fridge. You can do this in the pantry, too. When you can see the food that you need to eat first, it helps you plan your meals around those, especially on busy evenings.
4. Look for recipes to use food before it spoils. When you're planning supper, make a list of the food in your fridge and pantry that you should probably eat in the next few days. Then, hit the Internet! Sites like Epicurious and All Recipes have advanced searches where you can look for recipes that include a specific ingredient or even a few specific ingredients.
5. When you're out, split a dish. Restaurant portions are often crazily huge. Next time you eat out, try splitting a dish with a friend instead of ordering a main course all to yourself. If you're still hungry, you can always order an appetizer or splurge on dessert!