Summer time is in full swing, which implies picnics on the seaside, yard barbecues and, sadly, the accompanying meals waste. With all of the outside events and contemporary produce out there, it’s straightforward for meals to finish up as leftovers or get tossed within the dumpster. Discover 5 sensible methods to maximise your leftovers and reduce your environmental footprint.
Plan Meals Earlier than Procuring
Meal planning helps scale back your variety of grocery journeys and retains you on finances. Listing all the things you could make every week so that you don’t find yourself wandering across the grocery retailer. Listed here are some meal-prepping ideas:
- Craft a menu: Ask your loved ones for options, keep on with tried-and-tested recipes or search for inspiration on-line.
- Listing all the things: Create a procuring checklist containing the components wanted to make the recipes. That is additionally a wonderful time to restock different home goods.
- Buy groceries: Scour native grocery shops’ advertisements to get the perfect offers.
Intention to create sufficient meals for 2 to a few days of the week if you happen to’re new to planning.
Refresh Leftovers
You most likely have containers of leftovers in your fridge that you just’re uncertain what to do with, similar to further grilled hen or yesterday’s pizza. Figuring out tips on how to improve your meals will be difficult, particularly if nobody’s keen to eat it anymore. Thankfully, there are methods you possibly can love your leftovers:
- Make a salad: Chop cooked meat, boiled eggs and roasted greens. Add herbs and spices to boost the flavour.
- Create fried rice: This Asian dish is great for leftover rice. Combine any greens you’ve available, like carrots and peas, in a wok or pan. Push the veggies apart and crack an egg within the center. Combine all the things earlier than including leftover rice.
- Make a sandwich: Sandwiches are a simple method to make use of leftover meat, greens and spreads. Use leftover hen, roast beef or turkey to create a cold-cut sandwich or wrap.
Freeze Your Meals
Your freezer is your greatest good friend this summer time. Use it to retailer fruits, greens, cheese, bread and leftovers to cut back meals waste. You possibly can maintain chopped bananas, peaches, plums, tomatoes and cucumbers within the freezer for smoothies. Seal them in a bag and place them in a freezer with temperatures ranging from -20 to 55 levels Fahrenheit to maintain them contemporary for longer.
When freezing small baked items like cookies, take away as a lot air as doable earlier than putting them in a bag.
Compost Leftover Meals
Composting is a sustainable technique to nourish your vegetation and soil. Every individual generates round 4.51 kilos of municipal strong waste (MSW) every day, and implementing this eco-friendly exercise can assist you contribute to a more healthy planet. Arrange an out of doors composter you probably have a yard or put money into a countertop mannequin if you happen to dwell in a small house.
Apply Good Meals Storage Habits
Use produce storage luggage or containers with small air flow holes to stop the danger of mould and moisture accumulation. Keep away from storing uncooked and cooked meals close to one another to keep away from contamination, which will be poisonous. Keep in mind to maintain uncooked meats beneath cooked meals to stop juices from dripping in your leftovers.
Why Is Meals Waste Discount Necessary?
Over 1 billion tons of meals was wasted in 2022, however one-third of the worldwide inhabitants experiences meals insecurity. This waste additionally threatens the atmosphere, resulting in greenhouse fuel emissions and biodiversity loss. Addressing this worldwide concern this summer time means taking small steps towards a extra sustainable future.
Waste Much less, Save Extra
Do not forget that your hard-earned cash is wasted each time you throw meals within the dumpster. Undertake these sustainable methods to assist scale back waste, lower your expenses and contribute to a greener future.
