A healthy kitchen is a smart kitchen. Waste and wasted food items share a larger part in the waste stream. Everyone knows that, but do nothing about it.
Here are some creative and smart suggestions which will allow you to help your nature. These tips can be easily adopted in day to day activities.
Check our ideas for reducing kitchen waste that save your money, and are eco-friendly based on zero-waste mechanism.
Smart ways to reduce kitchen waste
1. Buy in bulk
To get started, this step works excellent to reduce kitchen waste. Foods that we purchase come in large packing that creates a massive amount of garbage. By buying in bulk, you can minimize unnecessary garbage.
2. Reuse of containers
Prefer using eco-friendly storage containers such as mason jars, bags to store food, etc.
3. Go for environmentally-friendly packaging
Look for food items that are packed with recycled materials. Take care of this small step while shopping that reduces your kitchen waste.
4. Freeze extra fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are easily spoiled food items, so freeze them for future use. You can also use Ziploc bags for freezing.
5. Buy what you need
Avoid unnecessary shopping. Purchase only that food items that you need. Before going to shop, make a list of required food items, and doing this, you can save your money and time.
6. Grow your food
Plant your fruits and vegetables, if possible. This will reduce kitchen waste effectively. You can also improve your family health by replacing artificially made food items to the organic ones.
7. Do not buy new hand and dish washes, refill them
Instead of buying new containers of hand washes and dish washes, buy a refill pack of them from the market.
8. Buy dry goods and cereals in bags
When you go for bulk item shopping, purchase those items packed in bags instead of boxes or containers. That will save you money and fit into a small place.
9. Switch to eco-friendly sponges
Ordinary sponges may contain polyether, polyurethane, or other harsh adhesives. Some sponges are also available in the market built from cellulose and walnut shells; look for them.
10. Regularly clean your cupboard
Utilize your night or weekend to clean and organize your cupboard. Throw away the unnecessary things that are not in use like torn wrappers, packages, etc. Refill the empty containers.
11. Avoid using bottled water
Bring your water in eco-friendly containers whenever you go outside or at the workplace. These bottles can be reused and also save you money.
12. Reduce the use of a paper towel
Use a microfiber wash towel instead of a paper towel that creates huge waste. These washcloths are washable, reusable, and portable.
13. Wash fruits and vegetables in containers instead of running water
Make a habit of washing and scrubbing fruits and vegetables in a large bowl, especially berries or grapes that will conserve water.
14. Try to make food from leftovers
Look into your fridge and cupboard, and you will see small quantities of uncooked food items. Instead of buying a new one, try to prepare your food from these items only.
15. Give priority while eating things
The food items that go bad faster than others eat them first. For example, bananas easily go bad as compared to apple.
16. Make your spices blend
Blending your extra or unused spices is another effective way to reduce kitchen waste. That will add flavours into your prepared food and prevent you from unnecessary buying of new ones.
17. Get reusable straws
Avoid the use of plastic straws. Use eco-friendly straws made from bamboo or other natural material.
18. Pack unused utensils
Utensils that you are not using or that can be used in the future, place them at some other location. This generates more space in your kitchen.
19. Replace your silver foil with cloth
Conventional silver foil paper that we are using is made from diseases-causing materials like aluminium. For wrapping purposes, use kitchen cloths, beeswax wraps or food wrapping paper. It will save you from various diseases and you can reduce waste which is caused by the used foil.
20. Cut food items efficiently
Unorganized or improper cutting generates a lot of food waste. Therefore, cut fruits and vegetables creatively from a refined knife carefully.
21. Use induction burners
The use of induction burners proves a great idea to reduce our energy consumption. Minor cooking such as boiling, reheating of cooked food should be done on induction burners.
22. Productive use of coffee grounds
To keep ants away from your kitchen, use coffee grounds. Coffee grounds can also help to get rid of odours and stimulate potted plants, etc.
23. Don’t throw out peels, keep them for pests
Skins of certain fruits and vegetables keep away insects such as ants and mosquitoes and they can also remove the musty smell.
24. Preserve or donate food items
To ensure that your food items do not trash to the dustbin, donate extra food or preserve if possible that can be used later.
25. Composting
Composting is a smart way to reduce kitchen waste. Productively reuse your food scraps. They can be used as a natural fertilizer in your backyard garden.
26. Regularly organize your fridge
It is a good habit to stock food items in the refrigerator, but it must not be overloaded. Keep your fridge clutter-free.
27. Soak beans and grains before cooking
Soaking habits before cooking reduce your cooking time as well as gas or electricity.
28. Avoid the use of disposable plates
Plastic utensils and paper plates produce a large amount of waste. Restoring these disposals also takes a lot of space in your cupboard.
29. Check your refrigerator’s temperature
To maintain the freshness of food items, check the temperature of the fridge regularly. Due to the high temperature, your food items may be spoiled early.
30. Write a waste log
Practice to write and manage a waste log. Put waste food items on that list. Check it weekly, and if a certain food item is regularly wasted, try to consume it first.
