Nowadays its common to throw out food scraps, especially in the United States, where the average thrown out is 30-40% of the entire food supply. The majority of this ends up in land fills, where rotting food emits greenhouse gases. This is not only a waste of food, but of the resources used to produce it, like labor, water, and energy. Not to mention the financial losses as well.

So What Can You Do?

Eliminating food waste starts with your own household, and luckily there are many achievable ways to do so.

1. Start a Compost Bin

You need 3 simple things to compost: brown material (things like cardboard, dead leaves, and coffee filters), green material (things like food scraps, coffee grounds, and grass clippings), and water. Simply make a pile of these and let nature take its course.

2. Save Leftovers

Rather than throwing away leftovers, store them in clear containers in fridges. Be sure to follow the "first in first out" rule, and eat the oldest food in the fridge first.

3. Plan Meals Ahead of Time

Keep an inventory of whats in the fridge, and plan meals accordingly so you don't buy too many groceries that end up unused.

4. Use Different Storage Methods for Perishables

When you wash produce, immediately dry it for longer lasting freshness. Cook or freeze perishables to make them last too. Keep things in airtight containers and be sure to keep things in cool, dry areas.

5. Donate to Food Banks

Food Banks make it so our packaged goods go straight to families in need.

6. Save Fruit Seeds

Planning to start a garden? Be sure to save indigestible seeds from fruits, or plant produce that is about to be spoiled. Dry out the seeds and plant them when the weather permits, and enjoy the spoils of nature!