Meal Planning
Meal planning is something I have implemented for a while. I started meal planning around three years ago, not for wanting to reduce waste but to save money. One thing I need to improve is thinking about how our week is structured. Each week is different for our family, my husband works shifts so it can be hard sometimes to get into a routine - so sometimes I need to make meals that can be frozen or left out so then he can eat when he's home. If you stick to meal planning and only buy ingredients for the meals you plan to eat that week, you will not only find you will save money, but you will reduce your food waste too.Make a waste diary
Over the next month, I plan on writing a waste diary, making a note of any food that gets put into the bin. That way I can adapt my meal plans accordingly and think about why this food is being wasted. It definitely makes you become more mindful when it comes to waste.Look at storage
How you store your food is really important, especially if you want it to last and save leftovers for a later date. Airtight containers are a great way of locking in freshness, they're also fantastic if you're looking to reduce single-use plastics. Many food stores are springing up where you can take your own containers to fill with food items. Our market that we go to has just started doing this and it's such a good idea.
Kitchen Design
As well as the smaller things you can do to reduce food waste, you can also really look at your kitchen design, especially if you're about to embark on updating your kitchen. Using mindful and sustainable companies such as Grundig as previously mentioned is a good start. All of their integrated appliances are highly energy efficient and come with a five-year guarantee, so you can look after the environment and have complete peace of mind too. I’m particularly looking at their multifunction ovens, especially those that come with self-cleaning programmes and have a Chef Assist mode with 30 preset recipes to help you cook the perfect meal efficiently.Grundig has also launched a Respect Food campaign ft. Massimo Bottura. As a company, they feel that it’s their responsibility to lead the fight against food waste. To remind the world not to take food for granted, but to treat it with respect. "Food is life. Respect". This is something I find hugely admirable, but in a world full of consumerism, I think it's right that we recognize the need for change, right from the smaller things to the way we choose to shop on those larger more expensive items.
Compost Bin
Something else I will be doing for the very first time is using a compost bin. I have reached out to my local council and found information on getting a bin delivered. By purchasing a compost bin and composting your garden and kitchen waste, you can feed your garden for free with a fantastic, nutrient-rich compost. Not only will you be helping your garden, but you will also be helping to reduce the amount of waste that gets sent to landfill. You could then even use the compost to grow your own home grown veggies.
I would love to hear the ways you're trying to reduce waste at home or whether you have a kitchen project and are thinking of using more sustainable brands.
K Elizabeth xoxox
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