A Fresh Start to 2021: Reducing Food Waste in Your Home

January 2, 2021
by Rebecca Down Fresh Starts

    We recently ran a survey of 2,000 adults that revealed the average Brit has an astonishing £171 of uneaten food sitting in their kitchen. Tins, condiments, herbs and spices amount to £88 of the unused goods, but even the freezer is home to a further £83 of produce. The survey showed Brits have at least four food items in the kitchen they have no idea how to use – with many of the ingredients and sauces left unopened, or used once, bought for unusual recipes or on a whim.

    What’s to blame? 

    1. One in five adults attributes a lack of food planning as the main reason for their food wastage – or hunger getting the better of them, forcing them into impulse purchases on the day.
    2. Overestimating portions and having to buy ingredients that come in excessively large packaging is a major contributor to food waste at home in the UK.
    3.  Whilst many are hoarding ingredients, 44 per cent feel a sense of guilt due to the amount of food wasted in their household – throwing away nearly £8 of food each week.

    Time for a clear-out 

    More than six in 10 Brits say they enjoy cooking, but nearly a quarter of those we surveyed don’t clean their fridge or freezer for at least six months, with many leaving it up to a year before a clear out.

     When Brits eventually make the time to have a clean-up, nearly £12 worth of food has to be thrown in the bin.

    Whilst rummaging through their frozen goods, the average Brit finds food that has been kept for nearly two years!!

    Dinner leftovers,  fruit and veg and bread are the most frequently thrown away perishables, with more than half of Brits binning them in an average week.

    Judging by these stats, we’re pretty sure some small changes could make a huge difference when it comes to household food waste, and give us all a clearer conscience and healthier bank balance.

    And since we were founded to challenge food waste, we know a trick or two! Here are a few of our favourites to start to cut down on throwing out food. 

    Our Top 4 Tips on Reducing Food Waste

    1. Get Frittata-ing:

    Spanish omelettes, frittatas, bubble ‘n’ squeak. Whichever country you visit there’s usually a local dish that revamps their leftovers. 

    To prepare a frittata, grab your leftover veggies and meat, mix it up with a few whisked eggs and then fry it off on both sides in your frying pan. 

    2. Reviving Stale Bread

    Since bread is one of the most frequently throw away items, we thought we’d find a solution. Next time you notice your bread is slightly tough, don’t throw it away just yet! This trick can revive even the toughest loaf. 

    Place the bread in a baking tray and cover with a little bit of water. Bake at 180 degrees for eight minutes and you’ll have bread that’s moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside. 

    3. First In, First Out: 

    The best way to arrange your fridge (and your cupboards) is by bringing the oldest items to the front and putting the newer ones to the back. 

    Check out our fridge storage guide on how to organise your fridge to keep your food fresher for longer. 

    4. The Perfect Portion:

    Just because a packet of rice comes in a particular size, it doesn’t mean that it’s the right amount for your meal. Make a note of what you throw away after every meal and pretty soon you’ll get a sense of how to adjust your portions to a size where there are no leftovers. 

    Of course, for a small win every day, another way to ensure you have the exact portions is to try your first recipe box! Head to our website to try HelloFresh and tackle food waste.

    Previous post
    The 5 Plant-Based Recipes you Need in Your Repertoire The 5 Plant-Based Recipes you Need in Your Repertoire
    Next post
    Reviving Juice Recipes to Help You Kickstart January Reviving Juice Recipes to Help You Kickstart January

    Related posts