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Smart and Simple Ways to Reduce Food Waste at Home

Reducing food waste isn’t just about saving money, it’s about looking after our planet, one meal at a time.

Every year, UK households throw away over 6 million tonnes of food, and much of it is perfectly edible. But the good news? There are plenty of smart and simple ways to reduce food waste at home that are easy to work into your daily routine.

Whether you’re planning your weekly shop, looking to make your food last longer, or just want to do your bit for the planet (especially around Earth Day!), every little change counts.

Let’s explore some fun, fuss-free ways to minimise food waste and save money while we’re at it!
Milk & More
Posted 15-05-25

Smart and Simple Ways to Reduce Food Waste at Home

Reducing food waste isn’t just about saving money, it’s about looking after our planet, one meal at a time.

Every year, UK households throw away over 6 million tonnes of food, and much of it is perfectly edible. But the good news? There are plenty of smart and simple ways to reduce food waste at home that are easy to work into your daily routine.

Whether you’re planning your weekly shop, looking to make your food last longer, or just want to do your bit for the planet (especially around Earth Day!), every little change counts.

Let’s explore some fun, fuss-free ways to minimise food waste and save money while we’re at it!
 

Why Reducing Food Waste Matters

Food waste is a global issue, but it starts right at home. The millions of tonnes of food waste contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, squander resources like water and energy, and cost households hundreds of pounds.

Reducing waste at home is one of the easiest and most impactful things we can do for the environment, and it all begins with a few thoughtful habits.
 

Start with a Plan

Planning meals doesn’t have to be rigid or restrictive. A quick look in the fridge before you write your shopping list can help you use up what you already have, avoid double-ups and make your meals more efficient.

Look at what’s in season and what’s already in your kitchen, then build your meal plan around that.

 

Shop with Purpose

Once you’ve planned your meals, stick to your list while shopping. It’s all too easy to pick up impulse items that might end up forgotten. Choosing multipurpose ingredients that can be used across different meals helps reduce waste and keeps things flexible throughout the week.

Tip: Our seasonal fruit and veg make meal planning easy by bringing fresh, local produce straight to your doorstep. 
 

Store Smarter, Not Harder

Storing food the right way can make a big difference to how long it lasts and how much you end up throwing away.

With just a few smart tweaks, you can keep your ingredients fresher for longer and reduce waste without even thinking about it.
 

Know What Goes Where

Knowing how to make food last longer in the fridge starts with understanding the right way to store different foods.

  • Keep your fridge at 5°C or below.
  • Store dairy and meat on the lower shelves.
  • Use drawers for fruit and veg, but keep ethylene-producing fruits (like apples and bananas) separate from leafy greens.

Some items do better out of the fridge, like potatoes, onions and bread (which dries out faster when chilled).

 

Use Up What You’ve Got!

Get into the habit of organising your fridge and cupboards so the oldest items are at the front. It’s a simple way to prevent things from being forgotten and wasted.

Tip: Consider having an ‘eat me first’ section in your fridge for anything approaching its best-before date.

 

Cook Creatively

Being creative in the kitchen isn’t just fun, it’s a great way to cut down on waste. By making the most of what you’ve got and giving leftovers a new lease of life, you’ll find tasty, low-waste meals are easier than you think.

 

Leftovers Are Your Secret Weapon

Cooking a little extra? Brilliant—tomorrow’s lunch is sorted. Leftovers can easily become new meals: roast veg can turn into soup, pasta can be baked into a frittata, and cooked chicken can fill sandwiches or wraps.

Batch cooking and freezing is also a great way to reduce waste and save time on busy days.

 

Use Up All Your Produce

There’s often more to your ingredients than you think. Broccoli stalks, herb stems, and carrot tops are all delicious when used creatively. Add them to soups, stir-fries or pesto for an easy, waste-free boost of flavour.

If you think you’re not going to use up all your vegetables, why not try pickling them? Pickling vegetables is a fun and creative way to reduce waste and get a tasty snack out of it.

Tip: Overripe bananas? Hello, banana bread. Soft tomatoes? Try a quick homemade sauce.

 

Best Before vs. Use By

Food labels can be confusing, but understanding the difference is key to cutting waste.

  • Best-before dates are about quality, not safety. Many foods are perfectly fine to eat after this date if stored correctly.
  • Use by dates, on the other hand, relate to food safety. Always stick to these for items like meat, fish, and dairy.
  • Use your eyes, nose, and common sense, if it looks and smells fine, it probably is.

 

Freeze Your Food

Freezers are a fantastic tool for reducing food waste.

Got bread that’s starting to go stale? Freeze it in slices. Wondering how to freeze milk? Stick it in the freezer. Cooked meals you won’t finish? Pop them into containers and freeze for another day.

Freezing helps make food last longer and gives you flexibility when plans change.
 

Simple, Everyday Swaps

You don’t need a complete lifestyle overhaul to cut food waste, it’s just a few small, mindful swaps that easily fit right into busy family life and can make a real difference over time.
 

Choose Seasonal, Local Produce

Eating seasonally means your food is fresher, tastier, and travels fewer miles to reach your plate. It also tends to last longer when it hasn’t spent days in transport.

Our fruit and veg boxes are packed with seasonal goodness and delivered right to your door, making it easier than ever to enjoy food at its freshest and fight food waste from the start.
 

Pick Reusables Over Disposables

Swap cling film for beeswax wraps, plastic bags for glass containers, and disposable packaging for reusable produce bags. These little changes can help reduce both food and packaging waste.
 

Small Changes. Big Difference

Taking steps to reduce food waste at home is easier than you might think. From planning your meals to storing food smartly and using up every last bit, it’s all about building small habits that stick.
 

Feed Your Garden with Compost

Even with the best efforts, some food scraps are inevitable. But that doesn’t mean they have to go to waste.

Composting turns peelings, coffee grounds, eggshells and more into nutrient-rich soil that’s perfect for gardens or houseplants. If you don’t have outdoor space, check out community composting schemes or food waste collections in your area. It’s a little act with big benefits for the environment.

The best part? These changes don’t just benefit the planet, they help your household too. Less waste, more savings, and plenty of delicious meals to enjoy.
 

Ready to Get Started?

Explore our blog for more tips and tricks to take the first step towards smarter, more sustainable eating.

 

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