CUT YOUR WASTE… AND YOUR SPENDING!

IDEAS TO HELP YOU REDUCE HOUSEHOLD WASTE

WHERE TO START

TO WAGE WAR ON YOUR WASTE, YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR ENEMY. OVER A WEEK, KEEP A PEN AND PAPER BY THE BIN AND RECORD THE FOOD YOU’RE THROWING OUT.

WITH THIS INFORMATION, WHAT CAN YOU TACKLE FIRST AND EASILY? IF YOU’RE CONSTANTLY THROWING OUT THE SAME ITEMS, CAN YOU ADJUST SHOPPING HABITS? IS THERE ANYTHING SO HEAVILY PACKAGED THAT IT’S WORTH THINKING OF ALTERNATIVES?

KNOW YOUR LOCAL RESOURCES BY PUTTING YOUR POSTCODE INTO RECYCLENOW. COM TO DISCOVER RECYCLING PLANTS THAT TAKE MATERIALS NOT COLLECTED AT THE ROADSIDE. JOIN YOUR LOCAL FREECYCLE.ORG TO FIND A HOME FOR UNWANTED STUFF. IF YOU LIVE NEAR A FARM, ASK IF THEY ACCEPT ORGANIC WASTE FOR FERTILISER. SOME CITY FARMS HAPPILY TAKE FOOD WASTE TO FEED THEIR PIGS. OLIO IS A FREE APP THAT CONNECTS NEIGHBOURS AND LOCAL SHOPS SO THAT SURPLUS FOOD CAN BE SHARED.

IN THE KITCHEN

CHECK YOUR FRIDGE IT SHOULD BE BETWEEN 0-5C TO PRESERVE FOOD FOR LONGER. ONLY A THIRD OF UK FRIDGES ARE – AND A THIRD RUN AT TEMPERATURES HIGHER THAN 9C.

SYSTEMISE YOUR SHELVES FRESHLY BOUGHT FOOD AT THE FRONT AND THE LESS ENTICING STUFF FESTERING IN THE FAR CORNERS? START A FIRST IN, FIRST OUT SYSTEM, WITH OLDER PRODUCTS AT THE FRONT AND NEW AT THE BACK.

KNOW YOUR STORAGE KEEP THE STEMS OF VEGETABLES SUCH AS BROCCOLI, CELERY AND ASPARAGUS IN WATER TO STAY FRESH. KEEP LEAVES LOVELY BY POPPING THEM INTO AN AIRTIGHT CONTAINER WITH A PIECE OF KITCHEN ROLL, THEN REFRIGERATE. STORE BREAD, POTATOES AND ONIONS IN A COOL, DARK PLACE. CEREAL, CRACKERS AND BISCUITS LAST LONGER IN AN AIRTIGHT CONTAINER THAN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING.

SHOP SMART NOTE UPCOMING EXPIRY DATES ON FOODS YOU ALREADY HAVE WHEN MAKING A LIST AND PLAN MEALS AROUND THESE ITEMS. (REMEMBER “USE BY” IS THE IMPORTANT ONE AND YOU CAN FREEZE FOOD RIGHT UP TO THAT DATE.)

HAVE ONE USE-IT-UP MEAL A WEEK MAKE A HABIT OF CONCOCTING SOMETHING FROM LEFTOVERS.