How To Reduce Food Waste: 5 Easy Sustainable Swaps

Want to reduce food waste and live more sustainably? Check out these 5 sustainable swaps to keep food out of the landfill and save you money.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in February of 2023 and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in July 2023. 

It doesn't require a Herculean effort. In fact, you can do it right from home, in your own kitchen, with a few simple, achievable steps.

This post is all about embracing sustainable changes that can not only help reduce your food waste but also contribute positively to our planet's health. Read on to discover five easy, affordable, and incredibly impactful sustainable swaps that you can start implementing to reduce your food waste today.

Remember, every small action counts, and together we can all contribute to a more sustainable future. Now let's dive in!

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Tip #1: Beware of Buying Bulk

We've all been there. The allure of those bulk deals at the grocery store can be hard to resist. But what happens when we bring it all home? Often, we end up with more food than we can consume before it goes bad. Buying in bulk can be cost-effective, but only when it doesn't lead to waste.

When food shopping, it's important to be conscious of only buying what you need and can store safely. By planning your meals and understanding your consumption habits, you can make more informed decisions about how much to buy.

If you do choose to buy some food items in bulk, make sure you are storing these items properly to help preserve their quality and extend their shelf life. Different food types require different storage temperatures to maintain their freshness. Storing your food at the proper temperature can prevent premature spoilage and help ensure your food remains safe to eat. For instance, while most fruits and vegetables do well at room temperature, items like dairy products and meats need to be refrigerated. [2]

Also, utilizing clear storage containers in your kitchen can help keep food fresh longer and make it easier to keep track of the food you have. There's nothing worse than finding a forgotten bag of rice or lentils hidden behind your pantry months later, and clear containers are a great way to help this very situation.

Suggested Reading: Refrigerator Organization Hacks To Keep Food Fresher Longer

Tip #2: Rotate Items on Your Shelf: The First-In, First-Out (FIFO) Method

If you've ever opened your fridge or pantry and found a forgotten food item way past its prime, you're certainly not alone. By mastering the art of food storage and organization you can vastly reduce food waste at home.

Let's talk about the golden rule of food storage: use older items first. You see, food isn't like wine - it doesn't get better with age. And that forgotten can of beans lurking in the back of your pantry isn't doing you any favors. Using older items before they expire is key to ensuring both freshness and safety, not to mention it's a great way to keep tabs on what's on your kitchen shelves. 

But how can we remember to use older items first? The answer lies in pantry organization and a simple strategy known as FIFO, or First-In, First-Out. This is a method used by pros in the food industry to ensure they're always using the oldest stock first. It's like a conveyor belt for your groceries: when you buy new items, they go at the back, pushing older items forward to be used first. [3]

Implementing the FIFO method doesn't mean you have to overhaul your pantry. Start small. Each time you unload your groceries, take a moment to move older items to the front and place new purchases behind them. Over time, this will become a habit, and you'll naturally reach for the older items first.

Tip #3: Composting on Your Kitchen Counter

Have you ever considered that those food scraps from dinner prep or the coffee grounds from your morning brew could be given a second life, rather than being destined for the trash? By composting, you're giving a second life to your food waste and actively contributing to a healthier, more sustainable planet.

Composting food scraps at home is one of the easiest ways to keep food waste out of our landfills. You don't need a large yard or special equipment. In fact, you can set up a compact compost bin right on your kitchen counter.

Composting creates a nutrient-rich soil amendment that can use to enrich your garden soil, making your plants happier and healthier. Additionally, becoming more conscious of how you dispose of your food waste can help you to become more mindful of how much food you buy when grocery shopping.

But how do you start composting at home? The first step is to get the right gear. A countertop compost bin is a fantastic investment and a great place to start. Choosing the right one is all about personal preference and your kitchen setup. Look for one that seals well to keep any potential odors contained, and if you're style-conscious (who isn't?), you'll want one that complements your kitchen decor.

Now, if you're worried about complicated or messy composting, let's debunk those myths. Small-scale composting at home can be as easy as peeling a banana (and then composting the peel, of course!). Start by saving your kitchen scraps in your countertop bin - think fruit and veggie peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and even used tea bags. Then, transfer them to a larger compost bin outside every few days.

Remember, the goal here is balance. A good compost pile should have a mix of 'greens' (your food scraps) for nitrogen, and 'browns' (like leaves or newspaper) for carbon. Turn your compost every week or according to your counter top composter’s instructions.

Tip #4: Swap Impulse Grocery Shopping for Meal Planning

Ever found yourself standing in front of the fridge, door wide open, staring at a motley collection of groceries, wondering what in the world to make for dinner? Or perhaps you've had that sinking feeling when you uncover a bunch of wilted veggies at the back of the crisper drawer, untouched and now past their best.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Meal planning is your secret weapon against food waste. It takes a bit of time to get in the swing of things, but the benefits far outweigh that initial effort.

Meal planning is like your roadmap to the culinary week ahead. Knowing exactly what you'll be cooking each day means you'll only buy what you need from the grocery store. The result? Less food waste, more money in your pocket, and a smoother, stress-free cooking experience. Say goodbye to those last-minute "What's for dinner?" panics!

Here are a couple of tips to navigate the grocery store like a pro:

1. Make a grocery list- based on your meal plan, make a grocery list of ingredients you need for the week. Stick to this list when shopping to avoid over-purchasing
2. Use leftovers- plan meals that incorporate leftovers from previous meals to reduce food waste and save time.
3. Focus on only buying what you need- avoid impulse purchases that can ultimately contribute to food waste down the line.
4. Check your pantry and fridge before shopping- make sure you know what ingredients you already have in your kitchen before heading to the grocery store. This can help you avoid buying duplicates or having to take a trip back to the store.
5. Consider portion sizes- and how many people will be eating each meal to avoid over-preparing
6. Use expiration dates to guide your meal plan- look at the expiration dates of perishable items in your kitchen to guide your meal plan.
7. Use a meal planning app like Paprika to help you keep track of your meals and ingredients.

Suggested Reading: 15 Zero Waste Food Recipes- How To Use Up Leftovers In Creative Ways

Tip #5: Try Pickling: Preserve Vegetables and Reduce Food Waste

When we think of pickles, cucumbers often spring to mind, but the beauty of pickling is that it extends well beyond cucumbers. You can make delicious homemade pickles with a lot of different vegetables, such as carrots, green beans, zucchini, and more. 

Pickling is an old-world method of keeping food edible for months or even years beyond its usual shelf life. It's a simple method that allows us to extend the lifespan of our vegetables, which would otherwise go bad in a matter of days. Perhaps you have a few extra carrots lying around or a bounty of green beans from your garden; they can all be magically transformed through pickling.

By pickling vegetables, you're not only adding variety to your diet, but you're also preventing perfectly good food from ending up in the bin. 

We love using this simple brine from The Kitchn for any vegetable you wish to pickle! 

This blog was all about sustainable swaps for reducing food waste.

In this blog post, we've reviewed 5 approachable ways to reduce food waste for a more sustainable lifestyle. We've explored the power of smart storage solutions, understanding that buying in bulk can lead to waste if not managed properly. We learned the valuable practice of the FIFO method to ensure the older items in our pantry are used first, preventing spoilage and waste.

We ventured into composting, turning our food scraps into eco-friendly compost that enriches our soil and reduces the volume of waste heading to landfills, and the magic of meal planning to help us shop with purpose and avoid impulse buying, ultimately saving money and reducing food waste. Finally, we uncovered the art of pickling, transforming surplus vegetables into delicious treats, extending their lifespan, and preventing them from ending up in the trash.

Now, it's time to implement these sustainable swaps in your own life. Can you adopt the FIFO method? Will composting become your new norm? Will meal planning ease your weekly routine, and will the tangy delight of homemade pickles grace your kitchen?

The road to reducing food waste begins with these small yet significant sustainable swaps. Each action is a pledge towards a healthier planet and a sustainable future. Let's bring these changes into our kitchens and see the ripple effect in our lives and the world around us.
The question now is, how will you make these sustainable swaps a part of your everyday routine? Are you ready to transform your kitchen into a sanctuary of sustainability, one small step at a time?

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