How to Reduce Food Waste at Home: 12 Easy Habits

Households throw away a huge amount of food, and most of it was perfectly edible when bought. Small habits make a big difference to your grocery bill.

Before you shop

1. Check your fridge, freezer and pantry and write down what needs using.
2. Plan meals around those items first.
3. Write a list and stick to it.
4. Buy loose produce so you only take what you need.

At home

5. First in, first out: move older food to the front.
6. Store food correctly: herbs in water, bread in the freezer, bananas away from other fruit.
7. Know the dates: “use by” is about safety, “best before” is about quality.
8. Freeze early: bread, cooked rice, ripe bananas, meat and sauces freeze well.

When cooking

9. Cook the right amount or plan leftovers on purpose.
10. Use leftover-friendly recipes: frittata, fried rice, lentil soup, banana bread.
11. Use the whole vegetable: broccoli stems, herb stalks and vegetable peels make good stock.
12. Have a “fridge clean-out” night once a week.

How an app helps

RecipeMe keeps track of what’s in your fridge, warns you before items expire and suggests recipes that use them up. Read our guide on what to cook with what you have for more ideas.