12 easy ways to cut down on food waste and save money

Did you know, 1.3bn tonnes of food are wasted globally each year? That’s enough to feed around three billion people.

In the UK alone, up to 40% of food never gets eaten. A huge portion of our food supply is being thrown away instead of consumed. Instead of ending up in landfills, much of this food could be redirected to people in need or simply saved with a little planning.

That’s why 29 September, International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, is so important.

Facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), it’s a reminder to rethink our habits and take simple steps to reduce waste in our homes and communities.

If you’re ready to do your part, here are 12 easy ways to cut down on food waste and save money in the process.

1. Check what you already have

Before heading to the shop, take a look in your fridge, freezer and cupboards. You might already have the makings of several meals without needing to buy anything new.

Also, spot anything nearing its use-by date and plan to use it soon. This quick check can stop you from buying duplicates and wasting what you already have.

2. Plan your meals

Planning your meals for the week helps you shop smarter and waste less. Stick to your shopping list to avoid impulse buys that might not get used. It also saves time figuring out what to eat every day.

3. Buy non-perishables in bulk

Staples like pasta, rice, tinned beans, chopped tomatoes and lentils have long shelf lives. Stocking up means you’ll always have a base for meals and can avoid last-minute takeaways.

4. Use your freezer wisely

Freezing is one of the best ways to save food from the bin.

• batch cook meals and freeze portions
• freeze food before its use-by date, including milk, cheese, bread and even fresh herbs
• store leftovers so they’re ready for an evening when you’ve not got time to cook

5. Understand food labels

Food dates can be confusing but understanding the difference can stop you from binning perfectly edible food.

• use-by is about safety and you should never eat food past its use-by unless it’s frozen in time

• best before is about quality and the food is usually still safe to eat
• sell-by/display until is for stores, not customers

6. Choose 'wonky' fruit and veg

Imperfect doesn’t mean inedible. Many supermarkets now sell ‘wonky’ fruit and veg at lower prices. They taste the same and help reduce the amount of perfectly good produce that’s cast aside due to appearance.

7. Use food-sharing apps

Apps like Too Good To Go and Olio help you rescue surplus food from businesses and neighbours. You can find discounted meals from cafes or share excess food from your own kitchen.

It’s a great way to save money and cut down on waste.

8. Prep at home more often

Even swapping a few takeaways or ready meals for homemade dishes each week can reduce waste and improve your health.

You can portion what you actually need, use up ingredients you already have and avoid excessive packaging.

9. Get creative with leftovers

Last night’s dinner doesn’t have to be boring the next day. Transform leftovers into soups, stir-fries, sandwiches, smoothies and stews.

10. Compost your scraps

Not all food waste is avoidable, such as like peels and cores. But instead of sending them to landfill, composting turns scraps into nutrient-rich soil.

Even if you don’t have a garden, many local councils offer food waste collection or community composting schemes.

11. Store food properly

Knowing how to store food can extend its life:

• keep herbs like parsley and coriander in a glass of water in the fridge and loosely cover them with a plastic bag
• store apples away from other fruits, as they release ethylene gas which speeds ripening
• keep your fridge at the correct temperature, below 5°C

12. Cook with flexibility

Sometimes the best meals come from being a bit creative. If you’ve got half a courgette, some leftover rice and a tin of beans, simply mix them together and you’ve got a stir-fry.

Learning to cook without following strict recipes can help you use what you have instead of buying more.

Making food waste awareness something you practice all year round, not just on 29 September, will save money and help the planet too.