Experts estimate that about a third of food in the United States goes into waste, and most of them get into landfills, causing greenhouse gases. These are massive billions of pounds annually, which could be effectively used to feed the needy, but unfortunately become a source of negative impact on the environment.
There are problems in the whole chain of food supply that can inspire a sense of impotence in humans, but each of us can contribute to reducing food waste by cooking at home. Here are five simple ways that can help with this task:
- Make an inventory and make a food plan: before visiting the store, determine what you already have and make a food plan for the following days. This will help to avoid excess products and damage them.
- Keep the products correctly: appropriate storage of products after purchase may extend their shelf life. Also, place the products so that they are easy to see, reminding you of using them in time.
- Do not clean all fruits and vegetables: the peel of fruits and vegetables contains many nutrients. They do not always need to be cleaned; It is enough to rinse well under cold water.
- Be flexible with the replacement of ingredients: you do not always need to follow the recipes. Reasonable replacements of ingredients can help avoid emissions and reduce the amount of unsaturated product.
- Think twice before throwing away: ingredients that look sad or have small signs of spoilage can be processed into other dishes, thus saving them from unnecessary disposal.
Small steps in every kitchen can lead to a significant reduction in the amount of food waste and promote more environmentally sustainable consumption.
