Six top tips for fighting food waste

In the UK, approximately 10 million tonnes of food is wasted each year, with around 60% of this coming from households. Not only is this damaging for the environment, with the greenhouse gas emissions associated with wasted food and drink in the UK estimated to be equivalent to 18 million tonnes of CO2 – it’s also costly, as the edible proportion of household food waste is equivalent to around £250 per person annually. With this in mind, here are six simple tips to help you fight food waste at home:

1. Plan your meals for the week

Create a meal plan for the week to make the most of the food you already have, reduce food waste, and help manage your food budget.

2. Shop with a list

A shopping list helps you avoid buying unnecessary items or repurchasing food items you already have at home.

3. Store food correctly

Keep perishable foods such as fruit, vegetables and eggs in the fridge. Store dry goods in airtight containers, and keep bread, onions, garlic and potatoes in a cool, dry cupboard.

4. Know the difference between date labels

'Best before' dates relate to quality, while 'use by' dates relate to food safety. Before discarding food past its best-before date, check for signs of spoilage such as mould, unpleasant smells, or changes in texture, to see if it’s still okay to eat.

5. Make the most of leftovers

Vegetables can be added to soups and stir-fries, while leftover grains work well in salads, stews, and casseroles. Fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, leaves and grass cuttings can also be composted to enrich your garden soil or plants and reduce landfill waste.

6. Choose 'wonky' produce

Consider buying wonky fruit and vegetables at the supermarket. They taste the same and are just as nutritious, helping to prevent good food from going to waste.