Learning how to reduce food waste is such a great way to build money saving habits while also reducing your own environmental footprint.
And on top of that, reducing food waste is a way you can even practice gratitude. You and I live in a country where we have so much plenty. And one way to be thankful is to find ways to make the most of what you have.
To cut down on spoiled produce and try new methods for saving or repurposing different kinds of foods.
And if you also want to waste less food, then here are some food waste solutions that’ll help you make the most of what you have in your fridge or pantry.
1. Store Jams and Sauces Upside Down
I’m the kind of person who can’t live without jams, sauces, and condiments at home. They’re essential.
And whether they’re store-bought or homemade, I wanna make sure they’re stored properly so they can last as long as possible.
So to make the most of your own jams and sauces, try storing them upside-down in your fridge. It’s a great way to make sure you get every last drop out, and nothing goes uneaten.
READ MORE FROM ONE GOOD THING2. Store Flour in Sealed Bags in the Fridge
If baking is your thing (count me in), then this tip is perfect for you.
The refrigerator is a very good storage space for flour, but the use of sealed bags is even more important. These help to prevent the flour from absorbing moisture as well as aromas and flavors from other foods in the fridge.
This simple hack leads to fresher, better flour for a lot longer.
READ MORE FROM ONE GOOD THING3. Pickling
Pickling is such a great way to avoid throwing away food, and making the most of your surplus fruits and vegetables.
It really is so helpful in making the most of perishable food before it spoils, and it’s a pretty tasty option too!
READ MORE FROM SWEET PHIUse Vegetable Scraps for Veggie Stock
Instead of throwing away your carrot skins or other bits and pieces of veggies, try saving them for a vegetable stock instead! Just make sure they’re properly stored in a plastic bag and frozen until you have enough to make your stock.
READ MORE FROM ONE GOOD THINGFreezing Soups
Soups are one of the easiest and most reliable dishes to freeze. And by reliable, I mean that you can come home from work, easily warm up a bowl of frozen soup, and know without a doubt that it will be tasty! So make a double batch of your favorite soup and freeze some for later.
Also, this is just a great no-food-waste hack for saving your uneaten leftovers in general!
Update: Original article for this food waste tip no longer exists.
Use New Panty Hose for Your Onions
I know that this tip might seem a bit silly, but it really is great for preventing mold and cutting down on wasted food.
The original guide is no longer there, but here’s what it originally said to do:
“Slip the first onion into one foot of the panty hose. Tie a knot just above the onion, then place another onion on top, tying and repeating the process for as many onions as you have. Once the onions are set, hang the panty hose in a cool, dark place, like a pantry, closet or basement.”
According to Pure Wow, doing this helps your onions to stay dry and gives them breathing room since they’ll be suspended in the air (maximizing shelf life). Also, apparently this can keep them fresh for up to 6 months. Pretty smart right?
READ MORE FROM PURE WOWFreeze Fresh Herbs
I love having fresh herbs, but they go bad so fast! So an easy food waste solution is to freeze them in some olive oil and take them out for when you’re ready to cook!
Super simple and honestly a pretty genius idea.
READ MORE FROM HOMESTEADINGNever Throw Away Your Potato Peels
Whether you repurpose your potato peels for a fun appetizer with spices and/or cheese, or you just want a simple and healthy midday snack, I think this is such a great idea! Definitely read over the tutorial on how to do it right.
READ MORE FROM THE KITCHNMason Jar Salads
If you’re trying to find creative ways to repurpose the different parts of fruits and vegetables that you couldn’t use in a recipe, then a mason jar salad might be the way to go!
It’s a great way to layer tasty ingredients and have a healthy grab-and-go lunch for work.
READ MORE FROM COMFORTABLY DOMESTIC
Grace Moser is the author and founder of Chasing Foxes, where she writes articles to help women create a life they love in big and small ways. She's been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world with her husband, Silas. Her lifestyle and travel advice can also be seen on sites such as Business Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, Huffpost, & Apartment Therapy.
Its really great