How to avoid wasting food

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Up to 30% of the food we buy is thrown away – that's an estimated €700 a year per household in Ireland and £570 in Northern Ireland. The good news is that a few small habits can make a big difference.

Plan ahead

Making a weekly meal plan is one of the most effective things you can do to reduce food waste. Use it to build your shopping list, and check your cupboards first so you're not buying things you already have. Choose recipes that share ingredients – if a recipe uses half a tin of tomatoes or a handful of spinach, have a plan for using the rest.

Shop smartly

Stick to your list at the supermarket and only buy what you need. Check use by dates so you're not buying food that will need to be used immediately. Avoid buying in bulk unless you know you'll use it – a bargain isn't a bargain if half of it ends up in the bin. Read more shopping tips here.

Store it right

The way you store food has a big impact on how long it lasts. Follow the storage instructions on the label and keep your fridge at the right temperature – 5°C or below.

Put new items to the back and older items to the front of the fridge or cupboard so nothing gets forgotten. Read more food storage tips here.

Use your leftovers

Leftovers make great lunches – pack them up the night before so they're ready to grab in the morning. At the end of the week, use up whatever vegetables are left in a soup, omelette, or stir fry. Leftover fruit can be blended into a smoothie or cooked down into a quick fruit sauce for porridge or yoghurt. More ideas