With food prices continuing to rise, reducing waste at home has never been more important. Not only does it save money, but it also helps reduce environmental impact and makes food shopping more efficient.
Here are five simple, realistic ways to cut food waste this February.
1. Plan Your Meals for the Week
One of the biggest causes of food waste is buying without a plan. Creating a simple weekly meal plan helps you only buy what you actually need.
Even writing down:
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3 main dinners
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2 lunches
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A few easy breakfasts
can prevent overbuying and impulse purchases.
2. Use Your Freezer More Often
The freezer is one of the most underused tools in the kitchen.
You can freeze:
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Bread
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Leftover meals
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Cooked rice and pasta
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Soups and sauces
Freezing food extends its life and gives you quick meals on busy days.
3. Rely on Tinned and Long-Life Foods
Tinned foods like tomatoes, beans and vegetables have long shelf lives and reduce the pressure of using food quickly.
They’re ideal for:
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Last-minute meals
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Batch cooking
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Emergency dinners when the fridge is empty
Keeping a well-stocked cupboard helps avoid takeaway temptations too.
4. Store Food Correctly
Incorrect storage causes food to spoil faster than necessary.
Simple tips:
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Keep potatoes in a cool, dark place
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Store herbs in water like flowers
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Use airtight containers for leftovers
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Don’t overfill the fridge
A well-organised fridge makes it easier to see what needs using.
5. Get Creative with Leftovers
Leftovers don’t have to be boring.
Leftover vegetables can become:
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Soups
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Stir-fries
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Pasta sauces
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Omelettes
Leftover meals can often be mixed together into something new with a little creativity.
