Tips for reducing food waste at home

Here at Arborfill we’re conscious of food waste as much as plastic waste. Each year in the UK an eye watering amount food; around 9.52 million tonnes! 70% of this is from households with much of it still edible which is such a shame. Food waste in landfill produces methane gas, a potent gas contributing to climate change.

With three children at home, we understand how tricky it is to keep food waste to a minimum. They love something one minute and hate it the next, and so the cycle continues!

However, reducing food waste at home is an often-overlooked way in which we can reduce our carbon footprint and live more sustainably. Here are some ideas which can help…

1. Before heading out to the shop, check what ingredients you have that need using up. This will help you plan your meals around reducing food waste. For inspiration you can search for recipes using specific ingredients hanging around in the fridge on the Love Food Hate Waste website.
2. Understand the difference between expiration dates such as ‘sell by’, ‘use by’ and best before’ to prevent throwing away perfectly edible food. ‘Use by’ refers to food safety but ‘best before’ does not so it’s better to use your senses to check the food.
3. Donate unwanted, in-date packaged food. Have you heard of the Olio app? It’s a way in which you can share your unopened surplus food with local people who could make use of it. Alternatively donate to your local Food Bank.
4. Freeze leftovers. Yes you could refrigerate but be honest about whether you think you’ll eat it before it spoils.
5. Compost food scraps such as vegetable peelings, eggshells, coffee grounds to create a mini eco system and nutrient rich compost. Coffee grounds can be put straight onto the soil to add more nutrients around acid-loving plants.
6. Get creative with leftovers e.g. stale bread makes excellent breadcrumbs. Simply whizz up, pop in a bag and freeze.
7. If you have to throw away food then make sure you use a local council food bin so the waste can be collected and turned into compost, farm fertiliser and bio-gas. Check your local council website for what can and cannot be put in your food bin. For example, did you know that oil can be recycled but pop in a separate bag and put next to your food bin on collection day.

We hope this was useful and thank you for reading!

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Reading List

Food Waste Facts and Statistics - The Eco Experts

Find a Food Bank - The Trussell Trust

Love Food Hate Waste / Preventing food waste

Olio - Your Local Sharing App (olioapp.com)

Food waste collections (wokingham.gov.uk)