REDUCING FOOD WASTE AT HOME

“Wasting food is not only an ethical and economic issue but it also depletes the environment of limited natural resources.”  Every year, more than 88 tons of food is thrown away only in the European Union countries, while about 1.3 billion tons worldwide.  Many careless actions are the main reasons that are threatening the future of our world. Sadly, we are guilty of all of the horrible things relating to food waste. There are many ways we can stop food waste, such as regulating our shopping schedules, storing food wisely and cooking only the needed quantity.

Usually, people buy all their needed supplies all at once. Even though this may be very convenient, as it reduces the amount of time and money you spend on traveling to the supermarket, it is a very harmful habit and the main factor of food wasting. Well, when we do buy in big bulks we can buy more food than needed or buy food that is already in your house, therefore, wasting food. A helpful way to get rid of this bad habit is by planning your shopping by checking what is needed for the week and then making a list. By doing this, you are also buying fresher and more healthy products like fruit and vegetables instead of cans of pre-made sauces, chips, and many more junk foods.

To follow, another major reason for food waste is when food spoils or is not safe to eat anymore. Consequently, we should learn how to use and store food correctly. The products can become ripe very easily, leading to spoilage. This is why you should always either consume them as soon as possible or store them properly. Check when the “use by” dates are due, and remember to not confuse them with “best before.” “Best before” refers to the date up until the food retains its expected quality, so even after the date, the meal is safe to eat. Instead, you should not eat the meal after the “ use by” date. There usually are two dates on food. One is the “best before” date, which is the date where the product isn’t at its maximum quality or freshness and the “use by” date, which tells us when the food is not good anymore and we have to, therefore, throw it away. These two dates are not to be confused as many people throw their good food away after the  “best before” date is reached.

Finally, another great way to reduce food waste is to cook wisely. For example, when cooking for gatherings or big groups we tend to cook more than the necessary amount needed. This results in a waste of food. So, be careful with your amounts when cooking for big quantities, but don’t worry. If you find yourself at the end of a day with leftover food just put it in the fridge so you can use it the next day, for a sandwich or a soup.

These three ways to stop wasting food at your home are some of the many that can prevent the world from suffering more. Not only does the environment suffer from the consequences of it, but also those who can’t afford proper meals every day. Global warming, clearing of trees, and malnutrition are only a few of the results of throwing out food. By following these 3 easy and helpful methods, many problems in our world today can be put to an end.

WORKS CITED

Dicke, Marcel. “Why not eat insects.” Ted.com. TedconferencesLLC. Jul.2010. Web. 10 Mar. 2019.

European Commission. “Food Waste.” Ec.Europe.eu. European Union. 2016. Web. 10 Mar. 2019.

“Facts.” Foodwasteeffect.eu. Avac Technologies. 2016-2017. Web. 10 Mar. 2019.

Lyons, Kate. “Cutting Food Waste by a Quarter.” TheGuardian.com. The Guardian News and media limited. 12 Aug. 2015. Web. 10 Mar. 2019.

Kubala, Jillian. “20 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Food Waste.” healthline.com. Healthline Media. 20 Nov. 2017. Web. 10 Mar. 2019.