Food waste has become one of the most serious issues plaguing our world today. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, over 1.3 billion tons of food goes to waste around the world each year. This amount could provide meals to millions of people in need. Because of this, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency has established a goal of reducing U.S. food waste 50 percent by 2030.
It’s important that each and every individual takes measures to reduce their food waste every day. Wondering how you can reduce your own waste on a daily basis? Here are five simple ways to achieve this.
- Look at the packaging of your food. Buy food that comes in resealable containers so that you can easily store away the leftovers upon opening. Some packaging makes it difficult to keep food fresh over time, which can make it land right into the trash can.
- Learn how to properly store food. Many fruits and vegetables have longer shelf lives if they are packaged a certain way. For example, a cucumber pre-wrapped in plastic will stay fresh up to 14 days instead of just three days if not wrapped.
- Use technology for new recipes. There are so many apps out there that can be used to find new meal ideas. Instead of throwing out food that you don’t know what to do with, you can find recipes that use the ingredients already in your fridge to create a delicious and wholesome meal.
- Donate to local organizations. Find a local food drive to donate non-perishable foods to those in need. Organizations such as Move for Hunger are perfect for setting up and coordinating food drives in the most creative way. You will do so much good for your community by taking the time to give food to the hungry.
- Visit the Make It Last Site. The Make It Last site from Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics contains helpful tips and facts to help you reduce food waste in your home. You can find so much information that will empower you to take control of the food in your home.
