Three simple ways to reduce food waste

We all have the power to make changes that can impact the future of our planet and reducing food waste is one of them.

In the UK alone, 9.5 million tonnes of food are wasted each year, making it the largest contributor to food waste in Europe¹. This isn’t just about wasted money: food loss and waste account for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, five times more than the aviation sector².

Here are some tips to help you and your service users reduce food waste:

1. Plan your meals

Meal planning is an excellent way to minimise food waste. At the start of each week, plan your meals and create a shopping list to match. If you’re using ingredients that come in larger quantities than needed for a single meal or if you’re cooking for one, get creative! Try incorporating leftovers into other dishes to prevent food from going to waste.

2. Fresh isn’t always best

Fruits and vegetables are among the top five most wasted foods¹. Despite the common belief that fresh is always better, frozen and tinned options can be just as nutritious, if not more so, and they offer a solution to reducing waste³. These preserved alternatives last longer and can help prevent the premature spoiling of fresh produce.

3. Understand your labels

Many products will be labelled with ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ labels. ‘Best before’ refers to the quality of a product—food is still safe to eat after this date, but its quality might not be at its peak. ‘Use by,’ on the other hand, is about safety. Foods should not be eaten after this date to avoid health risks⁴. Knowing the difference helps reduce unnecessary waste and can also allow you to freeze or cook food before it becomes unsafe.

By implementing these small changes, you’ll not only help protect the planet but also save money!

References

1. WasteManaged. Food waste facts & statistics [Internet]. WasteManaged; 2023 [cited 2024 Sep 18]. Available from: https://www.wastemanaged.co.uk/our-news/food-waste/food-waste-facts-statistics/#:~:text=The%20UK%20wastes%20approximately%209.5%20million%20tonnes%20of,chain%2C%20including%20production%2C%20processing%2C%20distribution%2C%20retail%2C%20and%20households.

2. World Food Programme. 11 facts about food loss and waste and how it links to sustainable food systems [Internet]. World Food Programme; 2022 [cited 2024 Sep 18]. Available from: https://www.wfp.org/stories/11-facts-about-food-loss-and-waste-and-how-it-links-sustainable-food-systems

3. University of Reading. Frozen and tinned foods can be just as nutritious as fresh produce – here’s how. Research Blog. https://research.reading.ac.uk/research-blog/frozen-and-tinned-foods-can-be-just-as-nutritious-as-fresh-produce-heres-how/. Published September 13, 2023 [accessed September 19, 2024].

4. Food Standards Agency. Best before and use-by dates [Internet]. Food Standards Agency; 2023 [cited 2024 Sep 18]. Available from: https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/best-before-and-use-by-dates