Anti-waste: tips to stop wasting

Don’t waste anything by shopping anti-waste

To avoid making the slightest mess, it all starts with the shopping we do. Haste or hunger… leaving without a list… super promotions… Anything can lead you to give in to the temptation to buy too much and, in the end, to throw away.

Make your shopping list in advance…

To avoid this problem, start with make a shopping list necessary. This will save you from buying twice as much as you need under the pretext that it’s on sale, especially if you don’t eat these foods or if you don’t have practical storage advice. To make this list, plan menu for each week and bet on the right amounts.

…and a full belly!

Another requirement, avoid shopping on an empty stomach. Hungry, it is no longer your brain, but your appetite that is seduced by many objects that will not necessarily all be consumed in time.

Organize your shopping

To ensure that no products are contaminated, make sure of this as well respect the cold chain. So, when shopping, start with dry products, then fresh products and finally frozen products that will be placed in a thermal bag. In the same way, keep them in order to prevent the more fragile products from becoming unusable, because they are crushed under the weight of other heavier products.

Store food better to reduce waste

As soon as you return, with your arms full of groceries, the second leg arrives. The purchase is only good; tidying up optimally is better.

Tidy up your refrigerator

First of all the fresh products… These deserve special attention. Poorly maintained, it’s a guaranteed waste! To best preserve the freshness of foodbe sure to memorize:

• fresh produce such as dairy, meat and fish, at the top of the refrigerator;
• ready meals and cooked vegetables in the middle of the fridge;
• vegetables and some types of fruit in the appropriate vegetable drawer.

Organize your closets

Tidy up your closets regularly and methodically. Fresh products aren’t the only ones that deserve your attention. This alone will prevent you from buying double or triple of certain products that you already had, but had forgotten. Organize this storage by category: cakes together, starches together…

Some good practices to adopt

Finally, some good practices will allow you not only to see things more clearly, but also to preserve food:

• storage compartments always very clean to avoid mold or the proliferation of intruders;
• careful storage to prevent some foods from being crushed or unusable;
• airtight glass boxes that better preserve the products.

Also keep in mind that some fruits are not best kept chilled. Bananas, strawberries or peaches prefer room air. Prefer a dry and cool place, protected from light, for the potatoes. You can even store vegetables and herbs outdoors and with your feet in the water!

Good to know: To avoid gas escaping, keep carbonated drinks upside down.

Extends the shelf life of some foods

Focus on expiration dates

First of all, a little reminder about expiration dates, an essential point to stay in the anti-waste spirit. It is important to clearly differentiate the DLCs, known as the expiration date, of the DDM, for date of minimum duration. The DLC is a deadline to meet in terms of health, while the MDD it poses no health risk. Therefore, products with a minimum date of conservation can also be consumed after this date.

Also, if the Expiration date is a key indicator, always trust your senses. If a fresh product looks bad or smells bad, don’t even take into account the date indicated and above all do not consume it. This date is also important on the day you go shopping. Make it as far away as possible unless you plan to consume these products on the same day.

In addition to the expiration date, the opening date of a product must also be taken into consideration.

Finally, keep in mind that yogurts can be stored for up to three weeks after their expiration date unless they have been opened. For honey, don’t worry, it can be stored for life.

Freeze food so you don’t have to throw it away

Whether it’s about storing dishes prepared in advance or the rest of a dish, freezing is also an anti-waste tip that shouldn’t be overlooked. Remember, however, to consume defrosted products directly, because they can no longer be refrozen. The shelf life in the freezer is up to six months. Remember to indicate a date on the plates.

Manage leftovers better

In addition to freezing, some tips are recommended to avoid a food waste.

Products to transform

Always with an anti-waste perspective, here are some tips to avoid throwing away certain foods by transforming them:

• dry bread can be used as French toast, toast or croutons for soup;
• the overripe or underripe fruit can be used to make compotes or jams; if they are started, just add a little lemon juice to keep them for a few more days;
• hardened cheese can be grated for later use in your dishes;
• the withered vegetables can be closed in salt.

Good to know: Some products can be used as household products! Coffee grounds are an excellent degreaser. Orange peels are used to unclog surfaces. The leftover oil is used to make soap.

Products to “refresh”

Beyond these recommendations, it is possible to give new life to certain products. Are your veggies showing signs of tiredness? A cold water bath overnight will allow them to regain their crunchiness. Similarly, soak a stale salad in a large volume of water with a sugar cube for 45 minutes to watch it perk up.

In conclusion, there are many tips to avoid food waste. Also feel free to use the anti-waste mobile apps like Too Good To Go or Olio for example, which help with this goal.