Reducing food waste is one of the easiest ways to save money and help the environment.
Plan before you shop
- Write a shopping list.
- Check what you already have.
- Plan meals for the week.
- Avoid buying food you won’t use.
Store food correctly
- Keep your fridge at the right temperature.
- Store fruit and vegetables as recommended.
- Keep leftovers in sealed containers.
- Freeze food you won’t use straight away
Understand date labels
- Use by – food must be eaten by this date.
- Best before – food is often still safe to eat after this date.
Many foods are fine to eat after the best before date if stored properly.
Use leftovers creatively
- Turn leftover vegetables into soups or stir-fries.
- Use cooked meat in sandwiches or salads.
- Freeze leftovers for another day.
- Use overripe fruit in smoothies or baking.
Portion control
- Cook only what you need.
- Serve smaller portions and top up if needed.
- Save leftovers for lunch the next day.
Keep track of what you waste
Using a food waste caddy helps you see how much food you throw away. By using a caddy you should:
- Waste less.
- Save money.
- Shop more carefully.
Get the whole household involved
- Encourage children to help sort food waste.
- Use the caddy as a learning tool.
- Make reducing waste part of daily routines.