Did you know that approximately 40% of our food supply is wasted and each of us throws away nearly 300 pounds of food each year? This is a critical issue because when food goes into landfills and rots, it produces methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide.

In its current state, food waste is one of the biggest causes of climate change and reducing food waste is something we can all do to help climate change.

Don’t Go Shopping For Groceries When You Are Hungry

Shopping when you are hungry leads to impulse purchases and more food than can be consumed before its expiration. Instead, make a meal plan and a corresponding grocery list. This will save you time, dollars, and will benefit the environment.

Don’t Buy Just Because Its On Offer

Be mindful of purchasing food just because the price is reduced. If you don’t have a plan for how and when you’re going to use it, higher the likelihood that it will end up rotting in your fridge.

Not Knowing What’s Already In Your Refrigerator

It can be easy to forget about items if they’re tossed into the back of the fridge, so before you head out to the supermarket, check your fridge and try and organise it weekly, so older produce don’t get buried under fresh purchases.

Not Prepping Your Produce Correctly

While we all love a good meal prep time-saver, it’s important to bear in mind that not all produce are the same. Some fruits, like strawberries and raspberries, ripen faster after they’ve been washed. Apples, on the other hand, can be washed anytime, but should only be sliced close to the time they will be consumed.

Tossing Those Overripe Bananas

Bananas that are browning or soft are perfectly fine to eat, but if you don’t like the texture, simply freeze them (the peel will turn black in the freezer, but that’s perfectly fine) and use them in purees or smoothies or simply bake a loaf of banana bread.

Tossing Wilted Veggies

Before you delegate those wilted veggies to the bin, try soaking them in ice water for five to 10 minutes. For those veggies that still remain listless, why not add them into a stew, soup or curry?

Not Storing Your Herbs Correctly

To keep your fresh herbs from wilting or drying out, put the stems in water or wrap them in a wet paper towel. Extras can also be chopped or blended and frozen in ice cube trays to save for a future recipe.

Be Conscious Of What You Are Wasting

Spare a thought about every item before you toss it in the trash. Perhaps there’s another way to use something instead of simply tossing it away. There are a number of apps that can be helpful in preventing food waste, that you can also explore.

If we all took the time to consider our actions and choices, we can make an impact on food wastage and climate change, so the next time you need to pop into the shops, be sure to have a snack and follow the tips listed above.

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