8 Tips and Tricks for Reducing Food Waste at Home

Throwing out food is harmful. It not only exacerbates the problem of global hunger but also affects the sustainability of the environment and the planet’s resources.

From wasted energy and water in food production to plate scraps in landfills contributing to global warming, the Earth is being adversely affected by food waste in many ways.

Yet the good news for everyone — and particularly for us at QNET, who have been championing sustainable practices for over 27 years— is that it’s possible to right these wrongs by, first and foremost, changing some everyday habits.

Wasted food translates to wasted energy, water, labour, and other resources required to produce it. Thankfully, however, smart and sustainable everyday solutions and products can reduce the strain on Mother Earth.

In this article, we share practical tips to help reduce food waste, and how the Amezcua Bio Disc 3 can help support sustainability.

Here are 8 Ways to Reduce Food Waste at Home

1. Plan your purchases

Many people buy more food than they need, which often leads to items expiring in the refrigerator or pantry. Changing shopping habits by avoiding impulse or excessive bulk purchases can help reduce food waste. To support sustainability, it is helpful to make a shopping list of only the necessary items and stick to it as much as possible.

2. Adopt a more sustainable diet

Meat production and consumption are among the factors that place stress on the environment. Reducing meat intake and choosing healthier, more nutritious options can help support sustainability. For example, chickpeas, kidney beans, and red lentils are great plant-based alternatives.

3. Store food properly with Amezcua Bio Disc 3

Different food items require different storage methods to help maintain their freshness and quality. For example, fruits and vegetables need to be kept in various recommended temperatures depending on their kind and where you live, while leftover food should be stored in sealed containers before being placed in the refrigerator. Amezcua Bio Disc 3 helps energise and restructure water, which may increase the bioavailability of essential nutrients. It is also designed to support freshness and overall food quality.

Try this at home: When storing food in the refrigerator, placing an Amezcua Bio Disc 3 alongside fruits and vegetables may help keep them fresh for longer, which could support environmental sustainability.

4. Know the expiration dates

Many people do not pay enough attention to labels such as “Best Before” and “Use By” and often end up throwing away perfectly good food unnecessarily. Paying closer attention to expiry dates and planning meals in advance can help reduce food loss. However, if you are unsure whether food is still safe to consume, it is always best not to take the risk.

5. Monitor serving sizes

A tonne of food is scraped off plates and thrown into the trash each day. This waste can be reduced by choosing meal portions that suit your needs and avoiding taking more food than necessary. Where possible, sharing larger dishes with others can also help minimise food loss.

6. Don’t be picky

Don’t choose fruits and vegetables based solely on their appearance. Looks aren’t everything, especially when it comes to discoloured or oddly shaped produce. Experts say that “ugly” fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious and tasty as flawless ones.

7. Recreate new dishes with leftovers

Don’t know what to do with leftovers? Try this! Instead of wasting and throwing them away, try freezing them for later or repurposing them into new meals. This can help reduce food waste while supporting sustainability. For example, leftover roasted vegetables can be mixed with rice and turned into a simple pilaf or fried rice dish.

8. Preserve and save

Pickling, canning, curing, dehydrating and making jam are age-old methods for extending the shelf life of certain types of food. Not only does food last longer, but most natural preservation processes are also straightforward and easy peasy. This is also one way to cut down on food loss.

QNET has focussed on building a sustainable future for the planet for over two decades. And we can attest that every effort, big and small, matters in reducing the impact of food waste and safeguarding the Earth for future generations.

Food waste is a global problem. As such, every single one of us must do our bit to address the issue and ensure a sustainable and food-secure future for generations to come.

This article was originally published in November 2022. It has been refreshed for relevance.