Avoid food waste: 6 tips

Food often ends up in the trash unnecessarily. We give practical tips to avoid food waste in everyday life.

In today's society we are used to having everything available in abundance at all times. Unfortunately, the eyes are often bigger than the stomach and some of our food ends up in the bin. In the EU, households alone are responsible for more than half of the food thrown away. That is around 173 kg of garbage per person, which is often only produced by throwing away food severe consequences brings with it. Since sustainability is not only important to us in the garden, we would like to share six tips on food waste with you.

6 tips against food waste

Unfortunately, food waste is omnipresent in our everyday lives. There are a few simple tips to avoid them for the most part. This is not about perfection, but about promoting a more conscious use of food. In this way you can make your life more sustainable and at the same time save your wallet.

1. Plan food

This tip may seem trivial at first, but it can make a big difference. Because if you take a little time at the beginning of the week and think about how often, when and what to eat in the next few days, you shop in a much more organized manner. On this occasion, the stocks can also be checked and replenished if necessary. Equipped with a shopping list, such a purchase is also much faster and you save unnecessary impulse purchases that may not be used in the end. Of course, that doesn't mean that your favorite chocolate can't end up in the shopping cart spontaneously.

2. Pay attention to the best before date

When shopping, take a look at the best-before date and then weigh up. Can you really finish the large yoghurt jar with the reduced shelf life on sale in the next few days, or are you not at home at all? Does the meat last until the weekend, or should you buy it fresh on Saturday? Of course, you can't go to the supermarket every day, but you shouldn't buy perishable goods such as meat or fish too far in advance. With regard to the best before date, however, caution is advised: after all, the food often has a much longer shelf life than stated. A simple taste and smell test can clarify this.

3. Less is more

Unfortunately, XL packs are mostly on offer. Less is often more: After all, it is neither financially nor ecologically worthwhile if half of the biscuits end up in the trash because they have become old and inedible. Fruit and vegetables in particular are best bought unpacked. In this way you can not only assess the quantity better, but also take a closer look at the individual fruits. Fruit nets and the like often ensure that the food has to be disposed of by the supermarket. Because if a fruit is bad, all other fruit that is still edible has to be thrown away with it. We therefore advise you to use individual goods, the supply of which increases over time as demand increases. In this way you avoid plastic waste and counteract food waste at the same time.

4. Store food properly

In order to keep your purchases as long as possible, it is important to ensure that they are stored correctly. Perishable food belongs in the refrigerator immediately after shopping - and preferably in the one for you designated compartment (meat and fish down, dairy products in the middle shelf, leftover food, eggs and cheese after above). Dry food, on the other hand, should be stored in a dry and dark place, preferably in glasses or other tight containers after opening. You should be especially careful with foods such as tomatoes and Apples: It is better to keep these separately from others! Regular inspections of stocks are particularly important. This not only prevents rot or mold from spreading, but also gives you a better overview of the food that is still available.

Especially with large harvests from your own garden, other methods of preservation are also worthwhile. In our article we present several Conservation options before. Tips & tricks for Freezing fruits and vegetables Is there... here.

5. Recycle leftovers

The main thing here is to integrate already cooked and opened food sensibly into the menu and to use it up before it goes bad. As already mentioned, this requires good planning and regular controls. In general, you should always store leftovers well (e. B. in a can in the refrigerator) and give them priority in your menu. With a little imagination, a “leftover meal” can become a real culinary highlight. If you are still missing a little inspiration, you can go to the Internet, for example Restegormet.de find it. Here you can specify what you would like to use and get suggested recipes for it.

6. Saving groceries online

There are also online ways to save food from being rubbish. On food sharing websites, for example, you can find out where in your city you can pick up leftover food free of charge. In the event of a large harvest, you can also give them away yourself via these platforms. Apps like Too good to go also show in which restaurants, snack bars, bakeries etc. Nearby dishes are left over. These can then be bought and picked up for a fraction of the original price. at sirplus.de you can order rescued groceries online at very affordable prices. The company too Etepetete is committed to a more responsible handling of food and offers boxes with fruit and vegetables that do not meet the standard optically and have been sorted out. And if you are not deterred by expired shelf life dates, you can go to your city Look for supermarkets that have expired but still edible food at low prices resell.

But it doesn't always have to be large companies; smaller organizations and private individuals also actively campaign against food waste. The website Lebensmittelwertschätzer.de serves as a database and lists a wide variety of initiatives and companies that are committed to this topic.

This provides more information on the subject of food waste and other tips Federal Center for Nutrition.