Food waste is a staggering problem in Canada with 46 per cent of all food in the country going to waste each year, according to Newswire. And what’s worse is that of that waste, 41 per cent can be avoided. With almost half the food in Canada going to waste, and expiry dates being the leading cause, it’s time that we look inside our hearts — and fridges — to figure out how to do better in 2025.
Most food waste is not born out of ill intention. It’s simply the result of overbuying and forgetting what we actually have (or to use it in time). The easiest way to start tackling the problem is to give your refrigerator a new year clean and reorganizing to make the most of your space and prevent waste.
See More: How to Organize Kitchen Cupboards to Optimize Your Storage Space
First, Take Stock Before You Shop
It’s harder to use up the produce in your fridge if it’s overstuffed and you can’t see or easily shift items around to access everything in it. So, avoid overbuying by taking a few minutes to assess your inventory before you pop to the shops. Perhaps this will involve a shifting of habits, like scheduling a regular grocery shopping day instead of spontaneously dropping in to grab last-minute items on your way home. It’s also important to establish communication with the other members of your household to avoid doubling up on a shop. Set a schedule or make it a habit to send a text when you’re picking up an item on the grocery list so you don’t end up with duplicated food items in your fridge.
Seeing Is Believing (and Eating)
It’s all too easy to skip spending the time to unload and organize groceries and opt for the quicker option of putting new stock at the front of the fridge. But that’s exactly the opposite of what you should be doing to minimize food waste. Instead, take the time to pull older food items, particularly produce, to the front of your fridge so it’s in your eyesight each time you open that door. This will help you monitor the freshness and encourage you to think about using up the ingredients that are on the verge of spoiling — before you end up tossing them out.
Keep Things Clear
If your household has trouble using up items before they spoil, another tip to ensure visibility is to remove excess packaging. Cleaning TikTok loves clear bins for a reason — they’re great to keep the contents of your fridge organized and uniform, while ensuring that you can see exactly what you have in stock. Remove excess packaging that prevents that, especially on items like fresh produce, eggs, drinks and yogurt. Plus, keeping your food in airtight containers will help seal in the freshness for longer, giving you more time to use up your goods.
Try it: 10-Pack Fridge Organizers and Storage, BPA-Free Stackable Bins with Lid, $50.
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Map It Out
Okay, you don’t need to become a cartographer. But having a general sense of where things live in your fridge can make it easier when you’re taking stock, and make you less likely to miss using up an item. Designate areas for certain groups of food. Keep dairy in one section and deli goods in another. Meat and seafood are best put on the bottom shelf to avoid any drippings that might contaminate other foods and potentially lead to you throwing anything away. Read our space-saving fridge hacks for more tips.
The Not-So-Lazy Solution
Another tip for ensuring that you’re seeing and using everything in your fridge is to optimize the visibility of smaller items by using a lazy Susan — a round, rotating tray. Instead of condiments or jars getting shoved to the back, you’ll be able to turn that waste into want by easily accessing every item.
Properly Store Your Produce
Half-used produce is quick to spoil. Without the natural protection of their outer layer, fruits and veggies can be quicker to oxidize, meaning they’ll get brown and be susceptible to molding at an increased speed. Slow down the speed at which produce goes off with airtight containers (like the ones above) or silicone produce savers.
Try it: Silicone Reusable Fruit and Vegetable Storage Containers Set, $18.
Try These Herb-Saving Tips
If you prefer fresh to dried herbs (and we don’t blame you!) but struggle with the waste that comes with buying a package of a single herb for one recipe and then slowly letting them wilt away, try this. Trim the ends of leafy herbs like parsley and cilantro and place them in water to increase the time they’ll stay fresh. Alternatively, chop and freeze leftover herbs into ice cube trays so you always have them at the ready — without any tossing away.
Don’t Forget the Freezer
Our final tip is not to forget the freezer. Create organization in your coldest space by employing freezer baskets and clear freezer storage bags for storing food. Don’t forget to label and date items so that you know exactly what and when you’re storing things!
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