{"id":1945,"date":"2020-08-19T11:53:21","date_gmt":"2020-08-19T15:53:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/sustainability\/?p=1945"},"modified":"2023-10-23T16:21:37","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T20:21:37","slug":"weekly-sustainability-tip-how-to-reduce-food-waste-at-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/sustainability\/2020\/weekly-sustainability-tip-how-to-reduce-food-waste-at-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekly Sustainability Tip: How to Reduce Food Waste at Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know?<\/h3>\n

If global food loss and waste were a country, it would be the third-largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world<\/strong>. In Canada, nearly 60 per cent of food produced is lost or wasted each year, which is equivalent to 35.5 million tonnes<\/strong> of food wasted. As a result, a staggering 56.6 million tonnes<\/strong> of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions are created by food waste each year!<\/strong>\u00b9<\/a><\/p>\n

Let us all work together in reducing our carbon footprint. Here are some tips you can follow to help you reduce your food waste, save money, and protect the environment.<\/p>\n

How to get started…<\/h3>\n
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  1. Shop smart.<\/strong>
    \nBefore grocery shopping, plan your meals ahead of time. Write a shopping list and stick to it. Avoid overbuying as this can result in food waste. Tip: If available, consider buying “ugly” produce that is usually left behind at the grocery store but is still safe to eat. “Ugly” produce often have slight blemishes and can sometimes be found at discounted prices. You can use this for smoothies and soups and you won’t be able to tell the difference!\"grocery<\/li>\n
  2. First In, First Out (FIFO).<\/strong> Follow the FIFO Rule: First In, First Out, an effective system for storing and rotating food. Reduce the amount of food being wasted by putting items with the soonest best before date at the front and place items with furthest dates at the back. FIFO helps reduce food waste by keeping older food from being shoved at the back where it can often be forgotten or overlooked.
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  3. Freeze the extra.<\/strong> Use your freezer to store most foods until you are ready to eat them. Some foods you can freeze are meat, cheese, fruits, vegetables, bread, cooked rice and pasta, flour, sauces & stocks. Check Government of Canada’s recommended food storage tips here<\/a>.
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  4. Get creative with your food scraps!<\/strong> Here are some clever ways to use food scraps:\n