Trash Talk: Simple Ways to Fight Food Waste
- Piece of Cake Staff
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Written by Lindsay Grohs
Did you know the United States wastes nearly 60 million tons—120 billion pounds—of food annually? This total equals around 325 pounds of waste per person. This waste gets discarded into landfills and is then decomposed, without oxygen, producing methane, which is a greenhouse gas. Methane traps heat in the atmosphere and therefore contributes to long-term climate change. But food waste is so much more than just this; it's also an economic issue. According to the nonprofit organization Feeding America, Americans waste more than $408 billion each year on food. Every wasted food item represents wasted water, energy, land, and labor that went into the growing, transporting, and preparing of that item. So, the question becomes, how can we shift our habits and stop food from going to waste?
1. The Power of a Smart Grocery List
One of the simplest, yet most efficient, ways you can reduce the amount of food waste you produce is by shopping with a purpose. All it takes is a few minutes to plan out your meals before going to the store. Whether this means scrolling Pinterest for easy recipe ideas, swapping recipes with a friend, watching Instagram reels for inspiration, or revisiting an old favorite meal, having a plan helps prevent impulse buys and forgotten ingredients. When you know both what you need and what you already have, you’re far more likely to use everything in your kitchen and avoid waste. It’s also important that you don’t overbuy when you go to the store. (I’m guilty of falling victim to this, too.) Sometimes we fear that we'll run out of something, leading us to buy more of an item because we think we'll need it later, but this usually just leads to spoiled food. So, start small and build from there. Remember, you can always go back to the store if you end up needing more of something. Implementing these small habits is sure to lead to a bigger impact.
2. Love Your Leftovers
From social media highlight reels to everyday cravings, it’s easy to feel like you need to make something new for every meal. However, this contributes to a ton of food waste. By scrapping your leftovers, you're not only throwing away perfectly good food but also the time, energy, and resources that went into creating it. Instead, embrace the idea of reusing your leftovers, and make it fun! It doesn’t have to just be reheating last night’s dinner; it can be revamping it into a slightly new dish itself. Leftover chicken can be thrown into a chicken noodle soup. Yesterday’s grilled vegetables can be mixed into a freshly tossed salad. The ideas are endless! So, find one that suits you and your food preferences. This will aid in reducing food waste and add variety to your meals throughout the week, all while saving you time and money!
3. Freeze It, Don’t Lose It
Some items can be frozen to preserve them for a longer period. Bananas getting pretty brown? Cookies sitting out for a few days? Forgot to cook your ground beef this week? Throw these in the freezer! Make sure you check the expiration date before doing this, but also keep in mind that food label dates are often indicators of “best” or “peak” quality, not necessarily that the food has gone bad. Many items are still perfectly safe and delicious to eat after their "sell by" or "use by" date, especially if they’ve been stored properly. A good indicator of this is your senses. Look at, smell, and taste (a very small portion of) the food before throwing it out. Other items that can be frozen include breads, butter, various fruits and vegetables, and cooked pasta and grain dishes.
4. Get Scrappy
It’s extremely common for dishes not to use the entire ingredient of an item. Often, when this happens, we tend to throw out the scraps (peels, stems, etc.). However, many of these “scraps” are full of flavor and nutrients, making them perfect for creating stocks, broths, and even sauces. Things like onion skins, carrot peels and tops, and herb stems combine well in stocks and broths, providing different aromatic bursts of flavor. Animal bones can also be combined into broths and stocks for hearty, rich flavors. Peels of fruits (lemons, oranges, etc.) make for great zests. Various greens and herbs, cheese bits, and nuts or seeds can be blended to create pesto. If you need more creative inspiration for using your scraps in different recipes, don’t be afraid to browse online for other fun options.
5. Feed the Soil (Compost)
Composting is one of the most impactful ways to reduce food waste at home, and it’s easier than you think. Fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, tea bags, and even wilted greens are all compostable, along with many other food items. Over time, these scraps break down into nutrient-rich soil that can eventually be used to grow new plants or foods. There are many ways to compost. One method is to start a backyard pile. You’ll want to choose a dry, shady spot in your yard (or use a compost bin). Then, mix your compost with a variety of both “greens” (wet, nitrogen-rich materials) and “browns” (dry, carbon-rich materials). Continue building layers over time and turn them regularly using a pitchfork or shovel every 1-2 weeks. Keep it moist by adding water or browns to balance the dry elements. Lastly, be patient. In a few months (depending on the size and conditions), you’ll have dark, crumbly compost ready to use in your garden or houseplants. If starting your compost pile isn’t quite your thing, consider checking out local composting programs or organizations in your area. Many cities and communities offer curbside compost pickup services where you simply collect your food scraps in a bin, and the organization handles the rest, usually on a weekly or biweekly schedule. This is a convenient and often low-cost way to reduce waste and make a meaningful impact on the environment.
At the end of the day, food waste is a problem we all contribute to—but also one we all have the power to change. Whether it’s planning your meals more intentionally, getting creative with leftovers, freezing what you won’t use in time, or starting a compost routine, every small habit adds up. Reducing food waste not only helps the planet but also your wallet and resources and ultimately fosters a more sustainable way of living. The change begins with us—one mindful choice at a time!
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