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We all know that food packaging waste is a big problem. But what can we do about it? Reducing your food waste doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, there are many small things you can do right now to reduce the amount of unnecessary packaging your family uses. Even if you’re already doing your best to cut down on wasted packaging, there may be some things you’ve never considered before. If that’s the case, read on for some helpful tips and tricks on how you can reduce your food packaging waste without feeling too much pressure.
Buy in Bulk
If you’re thinking about buying more frequently bulk foods like beans, rice, grain pasta and lentils, you can save a lot by doing so. Bulk buying allows you to buy enough food for several meals, rather than the one or two meals you usually have at a time with your family’s current grocery shopping habits. Having enough food in your pantry means you don’t have to buy as much when you do shop. This can drastically reduce the amount of wasted food. And the best part is that you can save even more by joining a bulk food buying club like Great White Foods! This way, you can share the cost with other like-minded individuals who are also trying to reduce food waste.
Don’t Label Everything
It might be tempting to label your pantry, but you might be wasting a lot of time labeling things you don’t need to. Instead, take some time to re-stock your pantry instead. You’ll have less time to label things when you have a full pantry, so save those precious minutes. If you do have a lot of labeling to do, have a friend help you out. Most people find it’s easier to label things when they’re not doing it alone. Label your food first, label your cupboard doors and your drawers, label your freezer and fridge door as well. Once you’ve labeled your pantry, you’ll be able to find things much faster. Another way you can save time labeling is by using a label maker.
Reuse and Repurpose
When you’re done with something in one piece, you shouldn’t throw it away. Instead, find a way to repurpose it. You can use food containers to store other things in your house or garden, use an old chopping board to store seeds, or use an old pot to store your pots and pans in your garage. Repurposing items that are already in your home can reduce waste because you don’t have to buy new items. Repurposing items can also save you money. If you can’t find a way to repurpose something, you can save yourself a lot of money by reusing it.
Give Away Food and Items You Can’t Use Anymore
Whether it’s your kids’ lunch boxes or some of their old clothes, be sure to save any food you don’t need anymore and try to give it away. If you have a family member who would like some food or clothing, don’t throw it away. You can always take it to a charity or donate it to a neighbour who might be in need of things you can’t use any longer. Not only will you be helping someone out, but you’ll also be reducing food waste in your own home.
Stay Organized When Shopping For Groceries
Staying organized when you’re grocery shopping can reduce food waste because you’ll be able to see what you have in the house and how much you have left. It’s also important to check the grocery store’s labels on items to see if they have any unwanted ingredients. This will help you avoid buying items that don’t have to be there. When you don’t have as many items to buy, you’ll be able to buy less. Not only that, but you’ll also be able to spot any ingredients you can’t use.
Don’t Forget to Chill Before Shredding Waste
You might be tempted to take the scraps off your meat and put them in a bag before you take it to the butcher. However, this won’t really help you reduce food waste because it’s possible the meat may be too warm by the time it reaches the butcher. You’re also risking spoiling your meat if it gets too warm. Instead, put your scraps in a freezer bag. When you get to the butcher, take the bag on its own or in a tote bag so it doesn’t get too crushed or mashed up. You can also take your scraps to the butcher’s with other scraps like pork skin and bones in a plastic bag to keep them separate from other meat.
After-School Snack Ideas for Food Waste Reduction
If you’re interested in reducing your food waste further, try some of these after-school snack ideas. They’re great because they’re healthy, they’re quick, and they’re inexpensive. If you have a few extra dollars in your grocery budget, you can make your own healthy snacks. Another great way to reduce your food waste is to keep an eye out for the best deals at the grocery store. Keep an eye out for deals on produce and other healthy items such as fresh eggs, milk, and bread. Another thing you can do to reduce your food waste is to only buy what you need. This way, you won’t end up wasting anything. Finally, don’t forget to compost! Composting is one of the best ways to reduce food waste in your home.
