One of my vows for 2018 was to cut down on food waste and packaging, plus make a conscious effort to really try to recycle every piece of material that leaves our home. So far we are doing well and the girls are loving helping me sort out meal plans so that we have no wasted food and helping to sort all of the rubbish each week. We have even started a compost pile for what food waste we do have that can be turned into fodder for our garden!
Lately trying to make it a project that the girls would get involved in too as part of our home education plan has given us a huge boost in what is coming in our home and not only going out. Not only are we simply buying the foods we need for each meal, we are checking packaging to make sure what we purchase is recyclable, the girls now know what all of the symbols mean and are even making good choices themselves when it comes to spending their pocket money etc.
The infographic above is from http://www.bpiconsumerpackaging.com/ who detail just how shocking the amount of food waste we are generating as a planet each year! The figures shocked me and made me adamant that we will stick to this lifestyle otherwise the problem is only going to get worse!
Fresh fruit instead of packaged is a big thing for us and if we do choose for example oranges that are netted we have a plan for the netting. We found a great bubble paint project for the girls that involves wrapping the netting around the bottom of a tube, dipping in paint and then blowing bubbles which creates the most fabulous effect! This of course means that the girls are getting their 5 a day too as they don’t get to paint until all the oranges are eaten! (mum win there!)
Another example is that with me being on Slimming World I am now eating lots more fruit and veg. A lot of them can come without packaging but the likes of the cauliflower rice come in cartons, I have given up buying the pre packaged version and actually started making my own which is a lot fresher too!
Do you waste a lot of food or do you only buy what you need?
Tell me how you recycle too – do you have specific stations set up inside or is it just big bins outside? I really want to set up a station inside the house for the girls to put rubbish straight into instead of having to bag it all up first.
XOXO
Debbie
This is a collaborative post
Like this post. Yes, wastage isn’t good. I try to make a list now and only get the necessary. The thing I need to focus on is decluttering which comes from waste. Not wasting really makes your appreciate more.
We’re also trying to cut down on our waste and reduce the amount of plastic we use. I love that you’re getting the kids involved.
This is a great idea! I definitely need to be more waste conscious and plan our meals more carefully!
I try to not have a great deal of food waste. This week we’ve had loads because the milk bottle exploded in the fridge and leaked into the salad drawer. All my veggies in there went all horrible.
I tend to buy far more veggies than I need but have a couple of hours to prepare and freeze. That way I know I always have veg.
The orange netting project sounds loads of fun. We too are working on cutting things down and are very strict with ourselves when it comes to recycling. And if anyone forgets, Little Button is ready with the Peppa Pig ‘recycling song’ in our ear LOL.
Definitely a really important thing to do. We’re planning to start growing some of our own food here too.
I definitely try my best but I know I’ve still got a long way to go when it comes to food waste. I think my main issue is that I buy reduced bits in an attempt to be savvy but they all have short shelf life so I never get through them in time.