Food waste is a massive global issue. You can help at home with a pantry or fridge audit.
Pantry audit in 5 simple steps
- Develop a shelf plan! Knowing what you have and being able to find food easily will help you to plan your meals and your weekly shop.
- Rotate items regularly. When you buy something new, store it behind the items you already have, so you use the older food first.
- Start a ‘use it up’ shelf. Place here items that are close to their use by date – which you’re willing to share – and get everyone in your house to use them first.
- Store food in transparent containers, so you can see what’s inside and don’t forget about it!
- Label your food! Whether in your freezer, fridge or cupboard, write what it is and the date it was made or decanted, so you know when you need to use it up by.
These tips are compiled using information from the following sources: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Queensland Government, Sustainability Victoria.
Understanding the problem
Imagine buying five bags of groceries and throwing one straight in the bin. Every week.
That’s the equivalent rate at which food is wasted in Australia, according to the National Food Waste Strategy Feasibility Study, produced for the Australian Government in 2021.
It equals more than 300kg per person per year, costed at around $2,500 per household.
Then there are environmental costs. Food thrown into garbage ends up in landfill, where it creates greenhouse gases (notably, methane) as it breaks down. Wasted food also means wasted resources, energy and packaging, Sustainability Victoria explains.
Understanding your impact
The Australian Government has set a goal to halve its food waste by 2030. We all need to reduce our individual food waste to achieve our national target, it says.
Common tips include weekly meal plans, shopping lists and buying only what you need. A pantry audit is another action you can take to make a difference in your house today.
Where to next?
This is part of our DIY sustainability series, created for UQ Sustainability Week and beyond. The series offers simple suggestions and fun activities for students, staff and members of the public who would like to increase sustainability-related actions in their daily lives.