How often do you toss out food from your fridge or pantry? For many, it’s just a habit—something they’ve grown up seeing.
But this everyday action has a bigger impact than you might think.
In the UK, the latest findings from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) show total food waste at 10.7 million tonnes. Of that, 6.4 million tonnes come from households alone—that’s enough to fill Wembley Stadium 9 times!
On average, UK households throw away £700 worth of food annually, BBC reports. Imagine what you could do with that money instead!
Beyond your wallet, food waste harms the planet, fueling greenhouse gas emissions and global food insecurity.
So, where should you start?
Let’s explore why meal planning and shopping lists might not be the perfect solution—and uncover 8 simple, practical steps to cut food waste for good.
Why Meal Plans Aren’t for Everyone
You’ve probably heard that meal planning is one of the best ways to reduce food waste, but here’s the catch: it’s not for everyone. Here’s why:
Life Happens
Sticking to a rigid meal plan can be tough when unexpected events arise. Plans change, cravings strike, or leftovers from a night out end up taking priority.
Overplanning Leads to Overbuying
Planning elaborate meals often means buying a lot of ingredients, and many go unused. That’s how perfectly good food ends up in the bin.
It’s Time-Consuming
Planning, shopping, and prepping can take hours. For anyone with a busy schedule, it can feel like more of a chore than a practical solution.
Some people turn to meal kit services like HelloFresh or Green Chef to simplify planning and reduce waste. I’ve tried them myself, but I didn’t stick with it.
The extra packaging and plastic waste from those kits were a deal-breaker for me. You can read my full review here.
The Bottom Line
Meal plans might work for some, but they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Instead of relying solely on rigid plans, it’s worth exploring flexible, practical strategies that fit your lifestyle.
Keep reading—I’ve got 8 beginner-friendly tips to help you reduce waste without the hassle.
Why People Don’t Stick to Shopping Lists
Shopping lists are often hailed as another simple solution to tackle food waste, but they’re not foolproof, either.
Here’s why sticking to them can be harder than it sounds:
Forgetting the List
Even with the best intentions, how often have you left your list at home, forgotten to update it, or found yourself standing in the store trying to recall what was on it?
Impulse Buys Are Tempting
Supermarkets are designed to entice you into buying things you don’t need. From clever product placements to irresistible ‘buy one, get one free’ deals, it’s easy to stray from your plan.
Changing Plans
Sometimes, what seemed like a great idea in the store doesn’t match your mood or schedule later in the week.
That head of kale? Great in theory, but after a long day, it’s hard to resist ordering takeout instead.
Unrealistic Expectations
Shopping lists can fall apart when they’re based on overly ambitious plans.
For example, buying a week’s worth of fresh produce for daily salads might sound healthy, but if you’re not used to that habit, some greens are bound to go bad before you use them.
The Bottom Line
While shopping lists can help, they’re not a magic fix. Combining them with mindful shopping habits and flexible planning can make a bigger impact on reducing food waste.
Why Awareness Alone Isn’t Enough
We’re more aware of food waste now than ever. Documentaries, TV programs, and news outlets have spotlighted the issue, revealing its staggering scale and far-reaching consequences.
In the UK, 90% of citizens recognize food waste as a national concern, and over a third (35%) rank it among their top five food-related worries.
Yet, awareness alone doesn’t always lead to action.
The Hidden Cost of Food Waste
Food waste isn’t just about the items you toss in the bin.
The global food system contributes approximately one-third of total annual greenhouse gas emissions, with food waste alone accounting for 8-10% of total man-made greenhouse gas emissions.
While many focus on reducing car use or energy consumption to combat climate change, few realize that the food industry plays a massive role in global emissions.
Food Poverty Amidst Waste
In the UK, an estimated 9.9 million people faced food insecurity in 2024, with over 3 million relying on food banks to get by.
Meanwhile, households collectively waste approximately £14 billion of edible food annually.
Closing this gap could dramatically improve lives and reduce pressure on resources.
A Long Supply Chain with High Costs
The food industry’s long supply chain—spanning farming, transportation, packaging, and distribution—compounds the environmental toll.
Producing food that never gets eaten wastes vast amounts of water, land, and energy.
For example, producing one kilogram of beef requires 15,400 litres of water—wasting it means squandering those resources, too.
Awareness Isn’t Enough
While many people feel guilty when they throw away food, guilt alone doesn’t create change.
Turning awareness into action requires practical steps, and here come 8 practical steps that you can start today to make a real difference:
8 Practical Steps to Tackle Food Waste
Understand Date Labels
Know the difference:
- The use of dates relates to safety. Don’t eat food after this date if you’re very sensitive about food expiration dates. Otherwise, use your common sense to decide if it’s still okay to consume.
- Best before dates refer to quality rather than safety—many foods, especially fruits and vegetables, are still perfectly fine to eat after this date as long as they’ve been stored properly.
Tidy Up Your Pantry
- Organize items into categories: grains, tins, spices, snacks, etc.
- Avoid overstocking—limit yourself to no more than three of the same item.
- Check older items regularly (e.g., once every three months for canned foods) and decide if they’re still good to use.
Organize Your Fridge and Freezer
- Follow your fridge manual to ensure optimal food placement for freshness.
- Label and date frozen items to avoid ‘mystery meals’.
- Regularly check your fridge (every two weeks) and freezer (every three months) to prevent food from spoiling and to avoid overbuying.
- If you’re buying a new fridge, consider downsizing to reduce the temptation to overfill it.
Store Food Correctly
- Keep potatoes and onions apart—they’ll last longer.
- Store bananas away from other fruits to slow ripening.
- Use airtight containers to extend the life of dry goods.
- Not sure how to store something? Look it up online—there’s a wealth of tips to help you get it right!
Change How You Prepare, Cook, and Shop
- Store Foods Right After Shopping: Properly store items immediately after unpacking your bags to extend their shelf life.
- Bulk Cook and Freeze: Prepare meals in bulk and freeze them—perfect for busy days and a great way to use up surplus veggies. Your freezer is your best friend!
- Get Creative in the Kitchen:
- Transform overripe fruits into jams, smoothies, or baked goods.
- Use wilting veggies in soups, stews, or pickles to give them a delicious new life.
- Instead of wasting slightly spoiled milk, repurpose it in recipes as a substitute for buttermilk, baking, or even cheesemaking—plenty of recipes online can guide you.
- Try ‘scrappy cooking’: Don’t toss broccoli stems, cauliflower leaves, or carrot tops—they’re nutritious and can be added to stir-fries, soups, or pestos.
- Shop Smarter:
- Shop more often but buy less each time to prevent overstocking.
- Use a basket instead of a trolley to limit impulse buys.
- Snap a quick photo of your fridge before heading to the store to avoid duplicating what you already have.
- Support wonky produce—buy imperfect fruits and veggies to help reduce waste.
- Look for yellow-stickered items. They’re not only budget-friendly but also a way to save food from being dumped in landfills.
Reduce Your Kitchen Waste
Even when food can’t be eaten, it doesn’t mean it’s useless. Here are some ways to repurpose or responsibly dispose of kitchen waste:
- Repurpose Scraps
Used ground coffee or squeezed lemons work wonders to eliminate odours in your fridge, sink, or even bathroom.
Use orange peels to create homemade cleaning sprays—just soak them in vinegar for a natural, citrus-scented cleaner. - Compost Responsibly
If you have a garden compost, toss in fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, and coffee grounds to create nutrient-rich fertilizer for your plants.
If you don’t compost at home, make sure kitchen waste goes into the compost bin provided by your local council or community collection point.
Avoid throwing food waste in the bin, where it breaks down without air and releases methane.
By rethinking what you throw away and composting correctly, you can dramatically reduce your kitchen waste and environmental impact.
Pack Leftovers for Lunch
Don’t let those leftovers go to waste!
- At Home: Pack up leftovers from dinner and turn them into a quick, hassle-free lunch for the next day. It’s a great way to save time and money while reducing waste.
- Dining Out: If your portion is too large to finish, ask for a takeaway box. Leftovers from restaurants can make for a delicious meal the next day.
By making leftovers a regular part of your routine, you can cut down on food waste and make your busy weekdays a little easier.
Use Apps to Help You
Technology can be a powerful ally in the fight against food waste.
- Olio: Share surplus food with your neighbors or pick up free items others are giving away. This app connects communities to reduce waste locally.
- Too Good To Go: Rescue surplus food from restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores at a discounted price. It’s a win for your wallet and the planet.
These apps make it easy to give food a second chance and help combat food waste on a larger scale.
Conclusion
Reducing food waste isn’t about achieving perfection—it’s about making small, sustainable changes that fit your lifestyle.
Start with one or two of these steps and see the difference it can make—for your wallet, the planet, and peace of mind.
Tackling food waste isn’t just a way to save money; it’s an essential step towards a more sustainable future. So, let’s take action today!