Don’t Just Recycle It — Waste Less
Using your caddy is step one. Wasting less food is step two.
Across the UK:
4.4 million tonnes of food wasted each year could have been eaten figure discrepancy
Evening meals and fridge “clear-outs” are the biggest sources of waste
Simple ways to waste less:
✔ Plan meals before shopping
✔ Check the fridge before buying more
✔ Freeze leftovers
✔ Understand date labels [Link provided]
✔ Store fruit and veg correctly [link provided]
Over the coming months we’ll be introducing practical advice inspired by the Love Food Hate Waste campaign to help you make your food go further.
We will also have some videos from Staffordshire residents getting to grips with their new food waste caddy’s and sharing ideas about wasting less food.
Top tips for overbuying
Reducing your food waste starts at the very beginning
Preparation is key to reducing the amount of food you buy so nothing is wasted and even could save you money.
Take a fridge ‘shelfie’
Before you head out to the shops you can take a quick picture of the contents of your fridge. That way when you’re strolling around the supermarket you can quickly check what you do and don’t already have in the fridge.
Plan your meals
Meal planning is one of the most effective ways you can save on your food bills. Start by checking your fridge, freezer and store cupboard and ask yourself what you really need. Then, before you go shopping, think carefully about what you're going to need for the week and write a list. That way you won't shop for things you already have.
Pick up loose items rather than pre-packed
Pre-packaged items can seem very convenient and easier but a lot of the time you only need to use a fraction of the packet before the contents starts to perish. Only buying loose items means you only buy what you need resulting in less food being wasted!
Making the most of your food
Handy food hints and tips
We have some handy food hints and tips to help you keep your food fresher for longer, save money and cut down on the amount of food thrown in the bin.
Best before dates
Best before and sell by dates can be really confusing and the cause of a lot of wasted food that can still be consumed.
- Use by is about food safety — food should not be consumed after the use by date.
- Best before refers to quality — your food is at its best before this date but should still be OK to eat after the date.
Love Food Hate Waste have some great hints and tips all about food date labels.
Love your freezer
If you haven’t had time to eat it you might be able to freeze it right up to the use by date. Most food can be frozen, except those with a high-water content such as lettuce. Many common items such as milk, bread and cheese can all be frozen.
Do not re-freeze food which has previously been frozen. If you are unsure, check the label.
Don’t let your leftovers go to waste
You can turn most of your leftovers into another tasty meal. For a few ideas for using leftover ingredients, visit the
Love Food Hate Waste website to generate suggested recipes.
Chilled out fridge
Your fridge should be set to below 5°C to stop items in the fridge from perishing too quickly. Check out these handy top tips on how to keep your fridge cool.