Recycling 101: How to Reduce Food Waste

Food waste is a major issue, both globally and in Australia. Every year, 7.6 million tonnes of food is wasted in Australia, with households responsible for 30% of that. The impact is significant—it is not just the food wasted but also the resources wasted. The water used to grow wasted food amounts to 2,600 gigalitres—five times the water in Sydney Harbour! And food waste contributes 3% of Australia’s carbon emissions annually.

The good news? Reducing food waste is easier than you might think. A few small changes in how you buy, store, and use food can make a big difference—not just for the planet, but for your wallet too. The average household could save up to $2,500 per year simply by reducing food waste.

1. Avoid Over-Purchasing

One of the biggest contributors to food waste is buying more than you need. Supermarket specials and bulk deals can be tempting, but if food ends up in the bin, those discounts are actually costing you twice—once at the checkout and again when you throw it away.

How to prevent over-purchasing:

• Check before you shop – Take stock of what’s already in your fridge and pantry.
• Make a list – Plan your meals and buy only what you need.
• Improve visibility – Items at the back of the cupboard often go to waste. Try:
  • Lazy Susans to keep everything visible.
  • Shelf risers to prevent cans and jars from getting lost.
  • DIY tiered storage to create better organisation—build one yourself with simple materials like wood and nails.

Being intentional with your shopping can save money, reduce waste, and lessen the environmental impact of food production and disposal.

2. Store Food Properly to Make It Last Longer

Even with careful shopping, food can spoil before you get the chance to eat it. Proper storage can extend shelf life and keep food fresh for longer.

Key storage tips:

• Understand date labels (Better Health Victoria explains more here)
  • Use-by dates indicate when food becomes unsafe—do not consume after this date.
  • Best-before dates indicate quality—food is often fine to eat beyond this date.

• Organise your fridge
  • Create a “use-first” section for food that needs to be eaten soon.
  • If you live in a shared house, label this space so everyone knows what should be used up first.

• Store food strategically
  • Some fruits and vegetables release ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening and can cause others to spoil faster.
  • Store separately: Apples, tomatoes, potatoes, bananas, and avocados should be kept away from ethylene-sensitive produce like leafy greens or berries.

With the right storage habits, you can significantly cut down on food waste.

3. Get Creative with Leftovers

Sometimes, leftovers seem great in theory but are uninspiring when you reach for them. However, finishing your leftovers is a great way to waste less and make the most of your grocery budget. It takes a little creativity, but it’s a skill that improves with practice. If you’re stuck for ideas, a quick search online (even asking ChatGPT) can give you plenty of ways to repurpose yesterday’s dinner.

How to make the most of what you have:

• Turn leftovers into new meals
  • Roast vegetables can become soup.
  • Leftover rice can be turned into fried rice.
  • Overripe bananas are perfect for banana bread or smoothies.

• Use food scraps wisely
  • Are you throwing away useful produce? Most of us are taught to throw away broccoli stems but they are nutritious and versatile, read 8-ways with broccoli stalks here
  • Vegetable peels, stalks, parmesan cheese rinds and bones can be used to make homemade stock.
  • Stale bread? Make croutons, breadcrumbs, or French toast.

• Freeze food for later
  • Bread, milk, cheese, and herbs can all be frozen to extend shelf life.
  • Batch-cook and freeze meals to reduce waste and make meal prep easier.

By thinking differently about leftovers, you can reduce waste while keeping meals interesting.

4. Compost What You Can’t Eat

Even with the best efforts, some food waste is unavoidable—like eggshells, coffee grounds, and banana peels. Instead of sending them to landfill, composting turns food waste into nutrient-rich soil and prevents excessive methane emissions from decomposing organic waste.

• Set up a compost system – You can compost at home with a simple compost bin or worm farm.
• Use local programs – Many councils offer green waste collections or compost drop-off points.

Composting helps close the loop, returning nutrients to the soil, improving soil health, and promoting plant growth, rather than contributing to landfill emissions.

Want to go further in reducing food waste?

These resources offer great advice:

🔗 Love Food Hate Waste
🔗 End Food Waste Australia – The Great Unwaste
🔗 Sustainability Victoria

They provide recipes, storage tips, and tools to help cut down on waste at home.