Earth Day – How to reduce food waste and eat more sustainably?
Did you know that the UK throws away around 9.5 million tonnes of food every year? It’s not just a huge waste of money—it’s also a serious environmental issue. This Earth Day, it’s worth thinking about how we can shop smarter, use leftovers creatively, and eat more sustainably – without making life harder.
Earth Day, celebrated on 22 April, is a time to reflect on how our everyday choices affect the planet. One major issue is food waste. According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), around one-third of all food produced globally ends up being wasted. This not only drives up costs but also increases CO₂ emissions. The good news? We can all help change that. It starts with better planning, smarter storage, and making the most of what we already have. Here are a few practical tips:
Plan your meals and shopping trips
Unplanned shopping often leads to buying more than we need. A packed fridge doesn’t guarantee everything will be eaten—many items spoil before we get to them. To avoid this, make a shopping list before heading to the store and stick to it. Planning meals for a few days in advance helps avoid impulse buys and unnecessary food waste. Apps like Too Good To Go or Olio can also help you manage food more mindfully and even rescue surplus food from local businesses.
Give leftovers a second life
Instead of tossing leftovers, get creative. Stale bread? Perfect for croutons or breadcrumbs. Overripe bananas? Ideal for smoothies or pancakes. Veggie peelings? Use them for stock or make homemade crisps. Carrot tops, radish leaves, and broccoli stems can all go into pesto, soups, or stir-fries. These small habits add up and can really stretch your food (and money) further.
Store food properly
Storing food the right way can significantly extend its life. Try the FIFO method (first in, first out)—keep older items at the front of your fridge so they get used first. Store fruit and veg separately, as some (like apples and bananas) can speed up the ripening of others. Dry goods should be kept in airtight containers, and your freezer is a great place for saving bread, fruit, or leftovers.
Buy local and seasonal
Food grown locally and in season usually has a smaller carbon footprint compared to imported goods. Seasonal produce is also fresher and tastier. Farmers’ markets, veg box schemes, or UK-grown options at the supermarket are great ways to support local agriculture and reduce food miles.
Use food banks instead of the bin
If you have surplus food, don’t throw it away—consider donating to a food bank. Organisations like the Trussell Trust or Fareshare collect excess food from individuals, supermarkets, and manufacturers and redistribute it to people in need across the UK. You can find your nearest food bank or collection point online. It’s a powerful way to fight food waste and help your community.
Understand food labels
Many people throw out perfectly good food because of confusion over expiry dates. Learn the difference:
- “Best before” means the product is at its best until that date, but is usually still safe to eat afterward if it looks and smells fine.
- “Use by” is about safety—don’t eat anything past this date, especially meat or dairy.
Reducing food waste is one of the simplest ways we can protect the environment—and save money. With just a bit of organisation, creativity, and awareness, we can all make a real difference. Supporting food banks, planning better, and using what we already have can significantly cut down what ends up in the bin.
So, here’s a challenge for Earth Day: try going a whole week without throwing away any food. Are you in?
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Bibliography
- https://www.gov.pl/web/rolnictwo/4xp-czyli-szanuj-zywnosc
- https://www.fao.org/4/mb060e/mb060e00.htm Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). „The State of Food and Agriculture”: www.fao.org
- https://bankizywnosci.pl/?s=Raport+o+marnowaniu+%C5%BCywno%C5%9Bci+w+Polsce
- https://www.toogoodtogo.com/pl/about-food-waste
- https://bankizywnosci.pl/swiatowy-dzien-zywnosci-2023/