7 Easy Ways To Cut Down On Food Waste And Save Money
July 17, 2019
source: Purdue
It’s absolutely alarming to see how much food ends up in the landfill each year. We spend quite a bit of money on food, and sadly, much of it ends up being thrown away. However, there are a number of extremely simple things you can practice to cut down on food waste (and save money in return). Here they are!
1. Save Your Eggshells
When you’ve cracked some eggs, don’t throw the shells away! You can crush the shells and add them to the soil in your garden. The extra calcium will help your plants to thrive, and the shells will deter pests from damaging your garden.
2. Don’t Toss Banana Peels
Steeping your banana peels in hot water will create a tea that’s perfect for people who have trouble sleeping. When you’re done with the steeped peels, put them in a compost bin, not the garbage.
3. Don’t Overshop
If you know you’re not going to be home much the coming week, don’t go wild when grocery shopping. Planning out your meals in advance is a great way to ensure you’re only buying what you’ll be able to eat before it goes bad.
4. Expiration Dates Aren’t That Strict
When it comes to a food’s best before date, you don’t always need to be so strict. Oftentimes, the food isn’t actually bad by that date. Use smell, feel, and common sense to determine whether or not a food has actually gone bad.
5. Spruce Up Leftovers
One of the biggest sources of food waste is leftovers. If you’re sick of what you had for dinner, get creative and make a stir fry, casserole, pasta dish, tacos, or salad with the remnant’s of last night’s dinner.
6. Freeze What You Can
If an item is actually about to go bad and you know you won’t have a chance to eat it, freeze it rather than throwing it out. The majority of food can be frozen so long as you store it properly in an airtight container.
7. Compost, Compost, Compost
Having and using a compost bin makes a huge difference. Not only will your food not end up in the landfill, but it will break down into a natural fertilizer that you can use in your garden.