How to Save Money and the Planet by Reducing Food Waste

Food waste is a big problem. It hurts your wallet and the environment. In the U. S. , people throw away a lot of food. This costs them about $728 every year. It also creates pollution equal to 42 coal power plants. Most of the wasted food comes from homes, not restaurants or stores. People are busy and don't use all the food they buy. This is a shame because food has to travel far before it reaches the trash. It's grown, treated, packed, shipped, and stored. All this effort goes to waste. The good news is that reducing food waste is easy. It helps the planet and saves money. Experts share simple tips to cut down on waste. Start by planning before shopping. Make a list of what you need. Check your fridge and pantry first. This stops you from buying too much. It also helps avoid impulse buys. Don't buy seven lemons if you only need one. Think about how you'll use the food. Store food the right way to make it last longer. Leafy greens stay fresh with a paper towel. Herbs can be kept in water like a bouquet. Use your freezer often. Have a night where you cook everything in it. This clears space and uses up food. People throw away more food than they think. Many parts of vegetables are edible. Use stems, leaves, and skins in cooking. Make stock from scraps. Freeze them until you have enough. Then cook them with spices. Use creative recipes to reduce waste. Make pesto from any green vegetable. Blend wilted greens into smoothies. Use leftovers in frittatas or stir-fries. These dishes are flexible and tasty. Finally, cook at home more often. This helps you use up food before it goes bad. Cooking can be fun and creative. It turns plain ingredients into delicious meals. This saves money and reduces waste.