Author: Umi Fatimah
Did you know that more than a third of the food produced in the world ends up in the trash? Food waste not only an economic problem, but also a serious social and environmental crisis. Every time we throw away food, we waste precious natural resources, such as water and agricultural land.
In addition, food rotting in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas that is much more potent than carbon dioxide. So what can we do? There are some small actions we can take at home to reduce food waste and protect the environment.
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What’s that Food Waste?
Food waste refers to food that is still edible, but is thrown away or stored for too long to be consumed. This food can be leftover food on plates, expired food ingredients, or agricultural products that spoil before reaching consumers.
This food waste not only fills up landfills, but can be very dangerous for the environment in the long term.
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Tips for Reducing Food Waste from home
To reduce food waste, we can make small changes together. Do the tips below to apply in your daily routine, of! Here are some simple tips to reduce food waste at home.
1. Plan a Food Menu
Planning your meals for the next few days is one of the best ways to ensure you don’t overbuy groceries.
Create a meal plan that suits you and your family’s needs, and try to plan several dishes that use the same ingredients so you can use up all the ingredients you’ve purchased.
2. Check Stock Before Shopping
Checking the stock of food that is already at home before you go shopping can help you avoid buying food that is already there. For example, if you already have rice at home, you don’t need to buy it again.
This way, you can also use the ingredients that are still in stock before they spoil or expire, thus helping to reduce food waste.
3. Create a Shopping List
A shopping list can help you buy groceries according to your needs, reducing the risk of buying unnecessary items. When making a shopping list, make sure you also adjust it to your meal plan for the next few days and the food stock that is still available in your home.
4. Buy in Smaller Quantities
When shopping, buy only the groceries you need and stick to the shopping list you created earlier. Avoid buying groceries in bulk, especially items with a limited shelf life. This is because food purchased in bulk is often at higher risk of spoiling or expiring before it can be used.
By purchasing in smaller quantities, it will help reduce expenses and prevent the possibility of food waste. This is especially useful for perishable foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and dairy products.
5. Store Food Properly
Understand the proper way to store various types of food to keep them fresh longer. For example, store fruits in the right place, and pay attention to the temperature in the refrigerator.
This also applies to storing packaged food products. Many packaged foods have labels containing proper storage instructions.
6. Arrange the Cupboard and Refrigerator
A messy fridge and cupboard can lead to forgotten ingredients going to waste. So, try to organize your food storage properly so that your food stays fresh for as long as possible and is easy to find when you’re ready to start cooking.
7. Creatively Process Food Leftovers
Food waste is often a problem. However, with a little creativity, we can transform leftovers into new, delicious and nutritious dishes.
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8. Provide Education and Increase Awareness
Provide education about the importance of reducing food waste. Invite family members to participate in discussions. They can provide ideas for planning weekly menus. That way, all family members will feel responsible for the food they buy and cook.
9. Serve Appropriate Portions
Serving food in portions that suit the family’s needs can reduce the possibility food waste. Serve food gradually in smaller portions at first and add more if needed.
If there is any leftover food, store it properly in an airtight container to maintain its freshness, so you can consume it on another occasion.
10. Make Compost
If you have food left over that you can’t eat, consider composting it. This helps reduce food waste and can be used as fertilizer.
11. Share Food with Others
If you have a large amount of food and it is impossible to finish it yourself, consider sharing it with neighbors or people around you. Sharing food is not only an effective way to reduce food waste, but also an opportunity to strengthen social ties.
Reduce food waste is our shared responsibility. Every small action we take can have a positive impact on the environment if done consistently.
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Atsarina Luthfiyyah (Senior Editor)
Having educational experience in Culinary Arts and Journalism. Hobbies are writing, traveling and cooking. Master of Communication Science, Gadjah Mada University
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