In just one year, about 40% of food ends up in the trash. That’s 80 million pounds of food equating to $161 billion annually. It’s no wonder why many experts point to food waste being a massive contributor to landfills, making up a quarter of them. Despite the grim statistics and our collective knowledge of the problem, food waste is still on the rise. So how can you help reduce food waste? The first steps begin in your own kitchen.

Food Gone Bad

The largest culprit of trashed foods is spoilage. With a large selection readily available in the fridge, it has become more common for families to let things like produce and dairy spoil. However, these goods still end up thrown away despite being edible. Many times, expiration dates are misread or confused with the “sell-by” date. It's always good to look up the product in question to find out how many more days you have left before the item really needs to be tossed.

Unfortunately, food doesn’t always have to go bad for it to be tossed. Families will still trash items because they no longer have a need or craving for them. Instead of the bin, reach out to friends and family to see if they want it for meals or to add to a compost heap. Or, you can look online for exciting recipes or techniques. For instance, take a forgotten zucchini from the back of the fridge. Dice, season, and cook it with ground beef for taco night. It soaks up flavors and softens greatly when cooked, making it the perfect incognito ingredient.

Keep Track of Waste 

Keep a record of what your household is throwing out and look for patterns. Which fruits and veggies are being disposed of the most? Most importantly, why were they tossed? What’s the total cost of food being wasted in your home? Plan out a weekly family-friendly meal plan before you go to the grocery store to avoid impulsive purchases. Not only will it help reduce food waste in your home, but it will also reduce the waste in your household budget.

Upgrade Your Storage 

Have some extra cash? Consider upgrading the family fridge or buying a purification system that decreases ethylene levels in this appliance. It’ll help delay decomposition, which provides more time for you to utilize refrigerated food. Additionally, storing vegetables and fruits in the appropriate places and at the right time will help keep them fresh. For more information, check out the infographic below.

 About the Author:

Andy Kountz is a member of GreenTech’s marketing team. He brings more than 30 years of experience in advertising and marketing as a strategic thinker, copywriter, producer and creative director, working with clients such as US Bank, Procter & Gamble, Subway Restaurants, AK Steel, Horseshoe Casinos and many others.

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