Tips to Reduce Food Waste at Home

In 2023, Ireland produced an estimated 835,000 tonnes of food waste, according to the EPA. That’s about 162 kg per person, well above the EU average of 132 kg. Households alone were responsible for 221,000 tonnes, or over a quarter of the total.

Food waste is more than just unwanted leftovers. It’s a hidden cost to our wallets and a serious environmental issue. When food ends up in landfill, it generates methane, a greenhouse gas far more harmful than carbon dioxide.

The positive news? With a few small changes at home, we can make a huge difference.

How to Reduce Food Waste at Home?

1. Plan before you shop – Make a meal plan and write a shopping list. Sticking to it helps avoid impulse buys that often go uneaten.

2. Store food the right way – Keep your fridge at the right temperature, use airtight containers, and learn where different foods last longest.

3. Meal prep in advance – Consider cooking in batches and portioning meals for the week. This helps you use ingredients efficiently and reduces the risk of food spoiling.

4. Love your leftovers – Repurpose them into new meals or freeze them for later.

5. Check “use by” dates – Rotate older items to the front. This ensures you don’t forget anything at the back of the fridge.

6. Turn scraps into stars – Food scraps like wilted veggies can become soup. Overripe fruit makes great smoothies. You can turn stale bread into croutons or breadcrumbs.

What about the scraps you can’t eat?

No matter how careful you are, some food waste is unavoidable, think banana skins, eggshells, or coffee grounds. That’s where brown bins and composting come in.

Instead of sending organic waste to landfill, place it in your brown bin or home compost bin. This transforms organic waste into compost or renewable energy, giving back to the earth instead of harming it.

Reducing food waste saves you money, helps fight climate change, and makes the most of our resources. Next time you clear your plate, remember, every small step helps make a huge environmental impact. And if you’ve got scraps, let your brown bin do the work.