Throwing away food is immoral and frowned upon. But to be honest, we do it far too often. We'd like to be more conscious about how we use it - and in the complexity of everyday life, we don't know how. These 13 tips will make it easier to reduce food waste.
It is sad but true. Every year, we Europeans throw 90 million food in the trash. At the same time, over one billion people in this world do not have enough to eat. They are starving and struggling to survive.
The most striking thing about it is that we could end hunger in this world with a redistribution of food. Sounds utopian? Perhaps it is. Because it speaks not only the Logistics but also Standards and Laws against the redistribution of food.
Even if the apple we eat less does not benefit a child in a developing country. Should we still be careful to be conscious with our food and stop eating and Resources at waste.
This not only saves money - to name a completely selfish motive. But it also protects the Environment and the Climate. And perhaps helps in rethinking on a larger scale. Especially in the policies of supermarkets and food manufacturers.
With these 13 hacks it works: Finally throw away less food!
Each of us can make a difference in small ways. It starts with the Shopping. And goes up to our Cooking pots in. We tell you how each of us can contribute to throwing less food in the trash.
-
Only buy what you really eat
Already times Shopping with hunger gone? That wasn't a good idea, was it? Far too often we load things into our shopping carts that we don't really need. Either because we have suuuuuuper appetite for it or there are great special offers.
Bargain quickly tempt us to make stupid decisions. Because 2 kilos of carrots for half the price may be tempting. But if you don't like carrots at all and live alone. Then most of it still ends up in the trash. And you won't have saved anything either.
Think about it before you start shopping. What do you want to cook? What do you need for it? How much do you need? Write A list and adhere strictly to them. That way, you really only buy what you can use.
-
It all comes down to the inner values
"Courage to be ugly" is the motto. Did you know that up to 40% of the planted fruits and vegetables do not make it to the supermarket at all? The reason for this are various Standards and guidelines.
These specify how big and round an apple should be. Or what shape a perfect carrot must have. In Germany, about 2 million Food disposed of annually. Because they not beautiful enough are. That is, of course, completely absurd.
What you can do about it? There are already Supermarkets, which such fruits and vegetables for the half price offer. In Germany, Penny has decided to offer these foods. Very successfully, by the way.
Those who have the opportunity, should buy the fruit directly on the spot from farmers. Or also on the Weekly markets the city. There, the farmers usually sell themselves and thus do not have to strict beauty ideals hold
-
Throw away less food: Buy seasonally and regionally
This brings us directly to the next keyword. Make sure that you seasonal fruit and Vegetables from your region. In this way, transport distances can be shortened. Because long distances are not only stupid for the ecological footprint.
Also long Transport routes ensure that fruits and vegetables damaged be. And so, after each transport, a lot of the food has to be sorted out and disposed of. That, too, is a huge waste.
We recommend you to the Markets to go shopping. You support the farmers from the region, get food with great inner values. And you also get something out of it for much longer. Because they do not spoil so quickly.
-
Only one recommendation: the best before date
We change the scenery. Off to the Kitchens! Most foods have an expiration date. Actually, it's more of a recommendation. It says you can eat XY until that day - it's guaranteed to still be super duper fresh.
For many, the best before date says otherwise. It is an in stone carved deadlinewhich must not be exceeded under any circumstances. Otherwise there is the threat of disease and ruin.
That is, of course, absolute nonsense. And only due to our paranoid compulsions. Because in fact many foods are still a few days Longer shelf lifethan indicated on the packaging.
And of course we would see it, smell it and taste it if Something spoiled is. Nevertheless, to avoid the whole thing, you should stick to it: Clear food, with short life spans to the front. And new, fresher things to the back.
-
Store food properly
Many foods quickly become inedible because we store them incorrectly. With simple tricks and a little knowledge, we can prevent the Lifetime of many foods extend
Fresh goods, for example, always belong in the refrigerator. These include Dairy products like cheese or butter. For Meat the same applies. Also salads or fresh Spinach belongs stored in a cool place.
Dry and dark on the other hand like it Potatoes and onions. If you have a pantry, you should store them there. Tomatoes and citrus fruits don't like the cold either. Just store them outside in Fruit bowls. Looks good too ;)
-
What foods are your shelf keepers?
Everyone has a Relic in the refrigerator or in the pantry. Something you buy over and over again. Stores. Lets spoil. Throws away. At this point, I'd like to come out and take responsibility for kilos of wasted carrots.
I am ashamed and vow to do better. Because in fact I like to eat carrots. And I know how delicious and healthy they are. And when I see them in front of me like that, I have absolutely no no desire to prepare them. Never. No matter what!
The solution is simple. Many markets allow us to buy fruits and vegetables in small packages to buy. If that is not possible, we should share with the girlfriend. Or invite mom to dinner more often and feast together!
The same applies to bread. It is eaten. But only half. Because the other side dries up until we have bitten through to her. Bread can be bought in small packages anyway. Otherwise, individual slices can also frozen become!
-
Throw away less food: A tribute to the freezer
Freezer compartments have a far greater raison d'être than previously thought. Far more than Pizza storage and vodka refrigeration! Because you can freeze absolutely anything instead of throwing it away.
This applies not only to bread - but also to Vegetables, Sauces, fruit, Cooked dishesraw meat. Everything that you can not process. Or what is left over from the last cooking pleasure.
Just take portion-sized quantities und packs them airtight. In this way, the food can be kept for several weeks longer. And stay fresh. :)
-
Preserve your food
Maybe now you think of grandma. Of old Disposable glasses With screw cap. Brown rhubarb puree. Or plum jam of the same color with chunks. But far from it!
By the way, you can also use soft overripe fruits in Smoothies process instead of disposing of it. It adds an extra sweetness. And if you're still looking for inspiration: Healthy smoothies: 9 delicious recipes for fruity vitamin bombs.
Bananas often ripen particularly quickly. But instead of disposing of them, you can also use delicious Banana bread make from them. This cake goes quickly and also tastes quite delicious.
If you have leftover vegetables that don't look quite so crunchy anymore, you can turn them into delicious Soups conjure. Also Dips or Sauces You can do this in a few simple steps. And so you can avoid having to throw away food.
-
Get creative in the kitchen
Cookbooks are great. The recipes inspire us. We often recreate exotically wacky dishes. Which we Without instruction would never have been achieved in this way. And we buy all kinds of ingredients for it, which we then never use again.
There is a great concept that aims to address this very problem. In many large cities you can find Cookhouse Branches. New recipes are offered there every week and you buy the ingredients in the exact packages. Be sure to try it out!
Otherwise, you can just leave the recipe to the left. And the Ingredients just times exchange and a little around experiment Often, cool creations come about with things that you still have in the fridge anyway.
-
Cook only as much as you need
The same principle as for shopping! Prepare only as much food as you really need. Because already processed food spoil more quickly and thus cannot be stored for as long.
Classics of difficult dosages are definitely Rice and Pasta. You also always accidentally cook for an extended Turkish family? Then just invite your friends to a spontaneous dinner one.
This also applies if your 5 kilo potatoes begin to form shoots. Or you again could not resist the 2 kilo bag of carrots (To my girls: Carrot Cake is okay?).
If anything else is left over: Leftovers in the Refrigerator and eat it the following day. Or you freeze the leftover Food in. The main thing is that you do not have to throw away food.
-
Don't throw away food: At the restaurant
It tasted incredibly good? But the plate is still well filled? Do not be shy and ask if you can eat the rest of the Take away food can. Many restaurants offer to pack leftover food anyway.
For they themselves can cook the dishes no longer utilize and have to dispose of them directly. This is of course a huge waste and also a great pity for all the food.
And what could be better than to digress into the culinary depths again with relish on the following day. While all the others Canteen food shovel in himself or go to the snack. :)
-
A great app against food waste
There is a wonderful app that helps to throw away less food. This is also about food from the catering industry that was not sold.
Cafes, restaurants and snack bars post the leftover food online on the app just before closing time. The user can view the surplus food reserve and then pick up on site.
We think it's a super cool idea. That's why we definitely recommend Too Good To Go and try it out right away. A delicious option to fight against food waste.
-
Foodsharing: Use online platforms
Sharing is Caring! And of course that goes beyond sharing cars and beds! Because food can also be shared. Who excess food If you can't get rid of your friends, family or neighbors, you should take a look around on the World Wide Web.
Here are the Foodsharing platform. On the food is offered free of charge and can be easily picked up. Also, strangers gather from time to time to cook together.
The site is home not only to private persons. Also Dealers, Restaurateurs and manufacturers of food are among them. Take a look. This is especially for the City dweller exciting.
-
One last tip:
Grow your own food. Maybe you don't have a field in front of your door right now. Instead of the endless expanses of grassland, you have concrete in front of your nose? No problem at all.
All you need is a small garden. Or a bit of balcony. And in a pinch, a free space on the windowsill will do. By the way, this is a great place to grow kitchen herbs.
You want to grow your own ingredients? Then take a look here: Grow tomatoes yourself in egg carton greenhouse. Here you will find very simple instructions and everything worth knowing.
If you prefer sweet fruits, you should take a look here: Build your own strawberry tower: In just 4 steps to DIY strawberry tower. Looks chic. And of course tastes much better! :)
Our conclusion:
Wasting food on a grand scale doesn't have to be. There are many small things that each of us can do. To deal consciously with resources and food. And there are already many great apps, websites and concepts to help. You should definitely try them out!
To browse further:
* Advertising & affiliate links: Our website is financed by advertising and affiliate links. As a partner of linked stores (e.g. Amazon) we earn from qualified sales.
Read more