Food waste is a major concern today. According to a 2022 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report, households waste more than a billion meals per day, which is about a fifth of the total food available to consumers worldwide. While various administrative steps are being taken to raise awareness, we can take small initiatives at home – for example, organizing the refrigerator. This will keep the place clean and help reduce food waste. You must be wondering how? Let us explain.
How do refrigerators cause food wastage?
What comes to your mind when we say refrigerator? The first answer would be – a cool and dry place to store cooked and uncooked food items in bulk. But did you know that even refrigerated food items turn stale after some time? You heard us. According to food experts, people often buy ingredients in bulk and store them in the refrigerator, so that they can use them whenever they want. This leads to unwanted purchases, which leads to food items remaining unused for a long time and ending up in the garbage bin.
Also read: Do you keep these 4 foods in the fridge? Expert warns they could be toxic
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How to organize the refrigerator and reduce food waste?
We bring you some practical organizing tips that will help you make the most of your food items. Find it here.
1. Plan weekly grocery shopping:
Avoid unnecessary shopping. Prepare a meal plan for the week, check the ingredients and then make a list of what you need for the entire week. This will not only save your time on busy days but will also make full use of the ingredients.
2. Label foods cooked in bulk:
Some of us like to cook in bulk, while others like to sort out the mise-en-place to save time in the kitchen. Whatever the case, make sure you put dates on the containers and organize them according to shelf life. This will help you remember what’s in the fridge and use it when you need it.
3. Prevent contamination:
Food contamination is a major concern during refrigeration. Hence, everyone needs to understand what to store where. Keep cooked and uncooked food items separate. Store raw meat properly in the freezer and keep checking from time to time to check the quality of the food.
Also read: How to store leftover food in the fridge? Twitter user told an easy solution
4. Buy Organizers:
This is probably the first thing one should do before sorting out the refrigerator. Get different types of containers and organizers for each type of food item. This will not only keep the space clean but will also help you keep track of what is in the store and avoid overbuying.
5. Create areas for different types of foods:
The best way to approach the whole organizing game is to create separate areas for different types of food. This will help you keep track of your fridge, organize your grocery plan, and avoid the risk of food contamination. Then buy containers and organizers accordingly.
6. Clean the refrigerator at regular intervals:
We recommend using a weekend to clean your refrigerator twice a month. This will prevent the build-up of odours and germs and also help you reach hidden corners to check if any unwanted items are lying around.
We understand that organizing the refrigerator may not be the “best” topic for you to discuss, but trust us, it’s going to be the most satisfying process ever! Try it now and enjoy a healthy and sustainable home.
