How to Reduce the Amount of Food You Throw

It’s no secret that we waste a lot of food. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American throws away about a pound of food each day. That’s about 20 percent of what we eat!

There are all sorts of reasons why we waste food. Sometimes it’s because we buy too much and it goes bad before we can eat it. Other times, we cook too much and end up with leftovers that we don’t know what to do with. And let’s not forget those pesky food expiration dates that always seem to sneak up on us.

But whatever the reason, the fact is that food waste is a problem. Not only does it contribute to climate change, but it also wastes all of the resources that went into growing, transporting, and preparing that food.

So what can we do about it? Well, there are lots of small changes we can make in our daily lives that can help reduce food waste. Here are just a few easy ideas to get you started.

1. Shop smarter only buy what you need
Before heading out to do the grocery shopping, check what’s already in your fridge. Then, write a shopping list and only buy what you will actually use. This will help reduce the amount of food you end up wasting.

2. Store food properly
Storing your food correctly can help it last longer. For example, keep tomatoes on the counter rather than in the fridge.

3. Use leftovers
Get creative with your leftovers and turn them into a new meal. There are endless possibilities when it comes to dishes you can make with leftover ingredients.