Australian households throw out 2.5 million tonnes of food annually, with over half being edible. That’s the equivalent of 7.7 million meals wasted daily! This costs the average house­hold over $2,500 every year and also costs the planet, contribut­ing to greenhouse gas emissions and wasting precious resources like water, energy and land. No one intends to waste food, but we often waste more than we realise. By making small, simple changes, we can turn the tide on food waste. Here are some simple tips to try at home:

Pack it. Stack it. Chill it

Proper storage and labelling are easy secret weapons to lon­ger-lasting food. Treat your food right and it’ll stick around long enough to reach your plate.

Flexi meal plan

By planning our weekly meals with flexibility, we can accom­modate busy schedules and unexpected plans, reducing the likelihood of food spoiling in the fridge.

Join the leftovers revolution

Don’t let last night’s dinner sulk in the fridge! Leftovers are a quick and easy way to save time, money and give your taste buds a second helping of something delicious.

First in, first out

Eating older items in the fridge first keeps your food rotation fresh and prevents hard-earned groceries from getting thrown in the bin.

Stick to your list

By sticking to a list, you keep your kitchen stocked with just the right amount and avoid those unnecessary ‘just in case’ items.

Cook just right

By checking how many people are eating, how hungry they are and recommended serving sizes, there are easy ways to prepare just the right amount.

Save room for seconds

We all put a little too much on our plates from time to time. So, why not start things off with smaller servings? After all, you can always go back for seconds or save it for leftovers tomorrow.

By keeping edible food out of the bin, we save money, pro­tect the planet and honour the resources and effort that go into producing our food. Small steps can lead to big changes in reduc­ing food waste!

For more information on how you can reduce food waste, visit thegreatunwaste.com.au.