“No!” to food waste
6 de May, 2019
Have you been to the supermarket this month and filled your pantry by June? Haven’t you planned what you’re having for dinner yet? Have you thrown away the rest of last night’s dinner? Had an orange for dessert and got rid of the peel? If so, any of these may have been your first step towards food waste. But remember that there’s always time to change for the better and, in this article, we’re going to help you start today.
It seems difficult to make the most of every part of food, and when we have leftovers at dinner, for example, we don’t always feel like freezing them. And how many times do we forget to make a shopping list? Or we leave for the supermarket without picking up the paper, which ends up forgotten at home? We understand, but even so, ten seconds of effort can make years of difference to the environment.
But how big is this problem?
In 2018, data collected by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations revealed that around 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted every year worldwide. Still think it’s not that much? What if we told you that in Portugal alone we waste around 1 million tons of food a year? This figure means that each person wastes an average of 132 kg of food a year. This corresponds to approximately 324,000 tons per family. We know these are frightening figures, but before you panic, we suggest you read the recommendations we’ve put together for you. We’re here to help you change small habits in your daily life that will have a very positive impact on these results.
Start step by step
- Shall we make a list?
Before you go to the supermarket, take a look in your pantry and check what’s missing. This way, you can buy only what you really need. That’s not to say that sometimes you don’t get lost in the supermarket shelves preparing a special meal.
- Time to go shopping?
With the list made, it’s time to go out to the supermarket. Ideally, you do this every week. Increasing the frequency of your shopping and bringing fewer products home will help you avoid waste. - Is it running out?
Now that you’ve looked through the pantry and been to the supermarket, it’s time to visit your fridge. Try to arrange the products according to when they expire first and cook them in that order. - Freeze leftovers and take a packed lunch
However, if you had dinner left over yesterday and chose not to save it, don’t waste it next time. Freeze what you don’t eat and, during the week, use it, for example, to pack a lunch. - What to do with the peelings and stalks?
Everything has a use. You can use the peels to add flavor to your cakes and jams or to flavor your teas. And for those who have plants at home, using the peels as fertilizer is also a good option. As for the rest, how about grinding everything up and using the good weather to drink a natural juice? By following these tips, you’ll begin to bridge the gap between healthy living and eating and sustainability. Still think it’s that hard to contribute to a better world? Follow these five steps and start making a difference now. This is everyone’s mission, and it also depends on you.