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Most food waste is generated at home – new research shows how best to reduce it

Most food waste is generated at home – new research shows how best to reduce it
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<span-Klasse="Namensnennung"><eine Klasse="Link " href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/compost-leftover-food-asian-young-housekeeper-2403657747" rel="nofollow noopener" Ziel="_leer" Daten-ylk="slk:Kmpzzz/Shutterstock;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas">Kmpzzz/Shutterstock</a></span>” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/yLfVklm6cWBnzyyD_VxjrQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_conversation_464/40345371f3ba1a92 f3129d89fd0b0747″ data-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/yLfVklm6cWBnzyyD_VxjrQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_conversation_464/40345371f3ba1a92f 3129d89fd0b0747″/></div> </div> </div> </figure> <p>The EU and the UK have committed to reducing food waste, in line with the UN’s target to halve global food waste by 2030. As the majority (around 53%) of all food waste in European countries occurs in private households, this part of the food chain represents the greatest challenge, requiring major behavioural change.</p> <p>Although consumer food waste is a complex problem influenced by factors such as people’s knowledge, habits, social norms and the efficiency of the food supply chain, it is possible to reduce food waste in households.</p> <p>Reducing food waste can have many benefits, including conserving limited natural resources like water, improving food safety, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. My new research shows that reduction is possible with the right behavior change tools and consumer willingness to avoid food waste.</p> <p>I was part of a team of 15 researchers and practitioners with expertise in preventing consumer food waste, working with the European Consumer Food Waste Forum. We evaluated 78 interventions in the EU, UK and beyond.</p> <p>Significantly reducing consumer food waste requires a combination of approaches – there is no single intervention that can change the way everyone manages their food waste. Tailored interventions for specific consumer groups work best, especially when people are willing, committed and actively involved in the process.</p> <p>We identified which solutions have resulted in the greatest reductions in consumer food waste and made recommendations to combat the problem.</p> <p>Here are five steps that can help reduce food waste in your household:</p> <h2>1. Get the facts</h2> <p>Start by educating yourself and your family to raise awareness and motivate yourself to make changes in your daily life. Check out the environmental organization Wrap (Waste and Resources Action Programme) online for useful resources on the issue of food waste and its negative impact on our present and future.</p> <p>Share this knowledge and experience with your family, including your children. Learn how to avoid food waste at home, such as how to store food to eat healthy and with less waste, and how to reuse leftovers.</p> <h2>2. Make small changes</h2> <p>At home, make simple adjustments to your daily routine. Go shopping with a list to avoid buying food you don’t need and may not use. Plan your meals to buy just the right amount of ingredients. Check dates on packages to prioritize foods that are close to expiration, and reuse leftovers to ensure every piece of edible food is consumed.</p> <h2>3. Gain confidence in the kitchen</h2> <p>Cook and eat at home more often to eat healthily and reduce food waste.</p> <p>Sign up for a cooking class to improve your skills in a fun way. Learning how to prepare food more efficiently or be creative with leftovers can help you make the most of your ingredients and reduce waste.</p> <figure class=
Five people in aprons cut and prepare food in a smart kitchen.Five people in aprons cutting and preparing food in a smart kitchen.

Five people in aprons cutting and preparing food in a smart kitchen.

4. Use visual reminders

Use simple tools and reminders to remind yourself of more sustainable alternatives that you can incorporate into your daily life. Put a sticker on food that is approaching its expiration date so you use it up first, or take photos of discarded food and stick them on your fridge to visually remind you of the negative impact of waste.

5. Mix it

Combine different approaches to avoid food waste in a way that works best for you and keeps you on track. Follow online tips and advice from organisations such as Zero Waste Scotland and Hubbub, use food waste prevention apps such as Kitche, Too Good To Go or Olio to share excess ingredients with neighbours.

You can also get involved in community schemes in your area, such as FareShare Yorkshire and Surplus2Purpose, an initiative to redistribute surplus food supplies to those who need it most.

By adopting some or all of these practices and encouraging others to do the same, you can contribute to a larger movement to reduce food waste and promote healthier and more sustainable eating habits.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Gulbanu Kaptan received research funding from the UKRI ESRC (with project partners WRAP and Zero Waste Scotland) for a project on reducing food waste in households (2020-2022). She is a co-investigator on a UKRI Strategic Priorities Fund project on ensuring food system resilience. Between 2021 and 2023 she worked as an expert member of the European Consumer Food Waste Forum.

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