Did you know reducing food waste not only saves money its good for the planet? When you chuck a wilted lettuce in your normal household bin, it ends up in landfill.
As there’s no oxygen in the depths of a pile of landfill rubbish, the bacteria helping to decompose your lettuce release methane instead of carbon dioxide. Methane is 28 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, over a 100-year period. Source ABC Science
Keep the faith, there are many ways to still enjoy the festive season and do good by the planet save money and enjoy a sustainable Christmas.
Ten Top Tips to reduce food waste for a Sustainable Christmas
- Plan meals and portions sizes
Christmas is the time we often overindulge then complain about the increase in our waist line, by planning our portions and serving on a smaller plate we are given the impression we have plenty to eat.
Planning the menu and meal planning, writing a shopping list and sticking to it is the best way to reduce food waste.
- Declutter your cupboards
Why buy what you already have? Declutter your cupboards and discover what’s lurking there, you may find just what you are looking for to finish that special recipe. Also, let your imagination run wild and try new recipes with the household staples.
- Check the freezer before buying more
With lots of food coming into the house, now is a good time to declutter your freezer, compost out of date food, and be on the look out for food you can use for Christmas.
- Ask guests their likes and dislikes
Stop guessing and ask your guests what they like, don’t like, check for allergies and dietary requirements. There is no point spending your time or money on food that won’t be eating
- Buy fresh local produce, it last longer
When we buy locally grown food, we are supporting our local farmers, the food has travelled less miles and generally fresh lasts longer when stored under the right conditions. In January 2020 Tanya is sharing her 30 years’ experience of sustainable living and 10 years as an Eco Organiser® with 10 lovely ladies at a 2-day women’s retreat in Hepburn Springs. Not only learning how to ethically declutter and live a more sustainable lifestyle you will be nourished by food that is grown no more than 15km from your plate. To find out more visit Re treat Re store get organised for the rest of your life
- Store food at the right temperature
At Christmas we often try new recipes requiring ingredients that maybe foreign to us, if in doubt on how to store these new delights ask your butcher, fish monger, green grocer, cheese and dairy supplier. Prepare yourself for hot weather when shopping so ensure you have a cooler bag, esky, car fridge ready to your non-perishables.
- Keep it simple, why spend the day cooking!
Plan ahead and prepare any dishes helps keep things simple, giving you more time to enjoy the day. Choose quality ingredients over quantity and let the produce speak for itself, this helps keep it simple, reduce waste and saves you time.
- Compost food scraps and freezer leftovers
Compost any food scraps and to feed back into your garden, or feed pot plants on the balcony or window sill. When freezing leftovers ensure they are clearly labelled and dated to avoid turning into lost frozen deposits lurking in the freezer!
- Ask guests to bring an empty doggy bag for leftovers
No warm in asking guest to bring a clean reusable container.
- Recycle Food Waste with others
Check out Share Waste a great app for sharing your waste within your community, your leftovers may make a lovely Christmas surprise for the neighbour chooks. Want to recycle more? Check out Eco Organiser Useful Links there are over 100 ways to responsibly reduce, reuse and recycle waste and clutter.
