Waste Less. Spend Less. Live Better.

Everyone wants a lush, green planet, but no one wants something lush and green growing in their fridge. Furry and green gets tossed. Food waste, however, is much bigger than your burrito gone bad. It’s a global challenge that impacts the environment and your household budget.

There are lots of reasons household food gets wasted. Sometimes we overbuy groceries or accidentally buy duplicates. Maybe we cook too much. Leftovers don’t get eaten. You decide last-minute to go out or order delivery. Whatever the reason, there’s good news: you can save money and help save the planet without huge sacrifices or inconvenience.

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Environmental Impact

Worldwide, about 2.75 billion tons of food are uneaten or wasted every year. The United States alone wastes an estimated 60 million tons of food annually—about 325 pounds per person! Food waste is the most common solid waste dumped into landfills and incinerators, per the EPA.

While that’s bad, what’s worse is the emissions. About 11% of the world’s greenhouse gasses—including methane and chlorofluorocarbons—come from processing food waste.

Budget Busting

The cost of wasted food adds up faster than you think. The EPA estimates it at $728 per person per year—$2,912 annually for a family of four! But not all that cash has to go in the trash.

Analysis suggests the average American family can save as much as $1,500 per year with simple changes to their kitchen habits. Regain control of your spending with these simple tips.

• Shop smart: Never head to the grocery store (or open the food delivery app) without inventorying your pantry, fridge, and freezer first.
• Keep it cool: Maintain your refrigerator below 41°F/5°C. If your fridge is older, it may not be keeping food cold enough. Consider upgrading to a new one with technology that helps keep food fresher longer.
• Store strategically: Keep cooked foods and leftovers in airtight containers and place them on upper shelves so you use them first.
• Create a “Use First” zone: Designate a front-and-center space in your fridge for items nearing expiration to avoid waste.
• Plan your meals: Build menus around leftovers, ingredients nearing the end of their shelf life, and items that might otherwise go unused.

Food waste and unused food are complex global issues with very real impacts on your family and community. Watch this website for upcoming posts with more tips and tricks to effectively manage food waste and your grocery budget while helping the environment.