A whopping 40 percent of food goes to waste in the United States, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. This means that every resource used to produce that food—like water, land, and labor—is also discarded. Plus, when that food sits in landfills, it emits methane, which has been linked to climate change. The top reasons for this waste? Food spoilage, languishing leftovers, and over-shopping, according to a study in the International Journal of Consumer Studies.
Written by Karen Asp
To waste less, try these simple-to-implement tips from Gustavo Porpino of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, a company devoted to sustainable development:
- Prepare your shopping list before you go to the grocery store, and stick to it.
- Store your produce where it’s easy to spot—not in the crisper drawer, where it’s more likely to go unnoticed and wilt.
- Organize your cabinets so that foods set to expire the soonest are in front.
- Freeze leftovers with dated labels in small containers, or share with friends.
- Learn how to reuse leftovers to prepare new dishes, which could also save you cooking time. For instance, fold leftover sautéed spinach into omelets or shred and mix leftover turkey with greens and tomatoes in a salad.
Picture Credits: Emily Fitzgerald
This article was first published in the print edition of Yoga Journal Singapore, which is now Yogahood Online.
