Reduce food waste

The Great Unwaste

The Great Unwaste video transcript

Developed by End Food Waste Australia, The Great Unwaste aims to help reduce household food waste by over 20 percent by 2030 by focussing on 7 evidence-based behaviours:

1. Pack it. Stack it. Chill it. - Store food correctly, keep your fridge organised and label leftovers to help food stay fresher for longer.
2. Flexi meal plan - Plan meals with a little flexibility so unexpected changes to your week don't leave food going to waste.
3. Join the leftovers revolution - Give leftover meals and ingredients a second life by using them for lunches, snacks or future meals.
4. First in, first out - Use older food items before newer ones so food doesn't get forgotten at the back of the fridge or pantry.
5. Stick to your list - Shop with a list and buy only what you need to avoid over-purchasing and unnecessary food waste.
6. Cook just right - Prepare the right amount of food for the people eating so less ends up uneaten.
7. Save room for seconds - Start with smaller serves and go back for more if you're still hungry, rather than throwing away unfinished food.

Visit The Great Unwaste for more simple, practical actions you can take to reduce food waste.

Whether you're looking to stretch your grocery budget, make better use of leftovers or learn smarter ways to store food, small changes can make a big difference. 

More about food waste

Food waste is a major problem around the world, especially in our rapidly growing country. The amount of food waste we generate is impacting the environment in many different ways.

When food and other organic material break down in landfill they create methane (CH4). Methane is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the air.

Food waste that breaks down in landfill can also release nutrients into the environment. Extra nutrients can disrupt the natural balance of an ecosystem.

To protect our environment and current lifestyles we all need to: Think Food- Rethink Waste. The tips below could help you to reduce your food waste.

Food supply chain

Australia's food supply chain has a significant impact on our contribution to the greenhouse effect.

When you throw out food, what you put in the bin is not the only resource being wasted. You are also throwing away all the resources used to produce that food and get it from the farm to your plate - such as water and energy.

Roughly 23 percent of Australia's total greenhouse gas emissions are from the food supply chain.

More tips to reduce food waste at home

You can reduce the amount of food being thrown out at home by following some simple steps.

• Reuse your organic waste, such as food scraps and grass clippings, by making a worm farm or compost system. You can apply for a $50 rebate when you buy a compost or worm farm.
• Join Grow it local and learn how to grow your own food.
• Plan your meals for the week before you go shopping.
• Write a shopping list after you have checked what you already have at home.
• Always store and prepare food by following the instructions on the packaging.
• Do not store opened foods in cans. Tin and iron can dissolve, which will spoil the food.