![\"stop](\"https:\/\/naturemoms.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/stop-wasting-food-5-ways-520x331.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Food waste makes up nearly a third of the trash sent to landfills. This statistic alone gives us pause\u00a0before we even begin to consider the millions who don\u2019t have enough food to eat.\u00a0You and your family can help reverse this by making a conscious effort cut down on food waste. With\u00a0these five steps, you can begin to make a positive dent in an unsavory problem.<\/p>\n
Plan out your meals for the week before you go grocery shopping. Make a detailed list, and stick to\u00a0it. Remember to avoid impulse purchases (not shopping while hungry is sure to help) and buy only\u00a0the exact quantities you\u2019ll need. Purchasing grains and nuts from the bulk bins and only buying loose\u00a0produce are great ways to cut down on excess. If you\u2019re not sure of the right amount of food to buy, get into the habit of writing down what foods you end up throwing away so you know to avoid buying that\u00a0much in the future.<\/p>\n
When you shop, pay attention to expiration dates. To keep track in your refrigerator, make a habit of\u00a0putting the newest foods toward the back of the fridge and moving the older items to the front where\u00a0you\u2019ll see and use them. If you know you won\u2019t be able to use something before it expires, figure out the\u00a0best way to preserve it. Store chips, cereal, or other items that have the tendency to go stale, in airtight\u00a0containers. When fruits start to get too soft, toss them in smoothies, and when greens begin to wilt, add\u00a0them to soups. You can freeze bread, flash freeze fruits and vegetables, and even take up the vintage\u00a0arts of canning and pickling to avoid throwing food away.<\/p>\n
Vow to eat your leftovers from dinner for lunch the next day, no matter how tempting a trip to the local\u00a0cafe may be. Consider gifting leftovers from big meals to friends or coworkers if you can\u2019t possibly finish\u00a0them. Another great idea: Set aside one night a week to make a meal just from food you have in your\u00a0kitchen \u2013 no additional ingredients allowed.<\/p>\n
Make produce go further by using all its parts. Stop peeling potatoes, leave the skin on cucumbers,\u00a0and cook broccoli stems along with the florets. If this isn\u2019t possible, save vegetable peels in a freezer\u00a0bag, and when the bag is full, make vegetable stock. Pureed vegetable scraps can even be used in\u00a0vinaigrettes. Take note of what scraps you\u2019re consistently throwing away, and figure out how to reuse\u00a0them!<\/p>\n
When all other methods for reusing your food scraps have failed, compost! Fruits and vegetables,\u00a0egg shells, coffee grounds (and coffee filters), nut shells, and grains can all be composted. There are a\u00a0number of ways to compost, from vermicomposting with worms to creating a simple garden compost\u00a0pile, you\u2019re sure to find a method that works for you. But the onus to reduce your family\u2019s food waste\u00a0shouldn\u2019t rest on your shoulders alone.<\/p>\n
Fun stickers are an effective way to remind kids to compost (via RecycleReminders)<\/p>\n
![\"belong-in-compost-bin-button\"](\"https:\/\/naturemoms.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/belong-in-compost-bin-button.png\")
<\/p>\n
Take steps to make composting a family effort. Consider turning composting into a game for your\u00a0kids. Reward them for composting their food scraps with small prizes. Stickers and buttons from Team\u00a0Compost can remind your kids that recycling food waste is just as important as recycling any other\u00a0material.<\/p>\n
Being environmentally friendly doesn\u2019t have to be a hassle. You can find simple ways to engage all of\u00a0your family members \u2013 even the little ones \u2013 in reducing their impact, starting right in your kitchen.<\/p>\n
Guest post written by\u00a0Monica Burton<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Food waste makes up nearly a third of the trash sent to landfills. This statistic alone gives us pause\u00a0before we even begin to consider the millions who don\u2019t have enough…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":16608,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16607","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eco-tips"],"yoast_head":"\n