Every year, we throw away tons of food waste, much of it ending up in landfills. Believe it or not, there's more food in landfills than anything else, which produces greenhouse gas methane.
There are ways to cut back on food waste, and an added bonus, a family of four can save about $1,500 a year.
"If you're throwing out a lot, you might be buying too much food - shopping with a list can keep you focused on what you'll actually use," said Consumer Reports Nutritionist Amy Keating.
To avoid finding squishy veggies in the back of the fridge bins - plan to use up fresh fruits and vegetables in the order they go bad - for instance, eat frail fruits and vegetables, like leafy greens and berries before hardier ones, like brussels sprouts or carrots.
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Freezing extra batches of chili or leftovers is a great way to cut back waste - but only if you get around to eating them! Mark leftovers with the date you froze them, and include them in your meal plan.
"Try to use up everything. Give your wraps, soups and burritos a nutritional boost with leftover veggies," said Keating. "And ripe fruits that are not their prettiest make delicious smoothies, while adding fiber."
Or consider buying frozen produce. It's just as nutritious a choice as fresh, and you can take out only what you need and keep the rest frozen.
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Keep your dry goods in clear, airtight packaging. Not only will they be less susceptible to dampness and mold, but you're more likely to use up what you can actually see.
Lastly, if your produce has gotten gross enough to toss, compost it instead. It will turn into nutrient-rich soil to help grow your own produce.
Consumer Reports also reminds us that to keep milk and eggs fresher, for longer, don't store them in the refrigerator door. Their tests have found that the door is generally a few degrees warmer than the rest of the shelves, so keep them there instead.
