Everybody can start stopping food waste at home. And there will be two side effects: Saving money & Making Positive Impact! By taking small steps at home, you can directly reduce your personal environmental impact while contributing to the fight against climate change.
Use your refrigerator properly
Do not just shove food inside your refrigerator. Place it with care. The top shelf is the coldest place. Put raw meat and fish there. Use the bottom drawer only for vegetables. Keep eggs and butter in the door. Every item has a proper home, and if you put it in the right zone, it stays fresh. It does not rot.
Trust Your Nose, Not the Date
A date is just a number, at least in this context! “Best before” does not mean “poison after.” It is only about the taste, not the safety. When the date passes, do not panic. Look at the food, smell it, and taste a little bit. Your senses tell you the truth. If it smells good, eat it. Do not let a stamp decide for you. “The best-before date is not scientifically a use-by or expiry date. Many foods remain edible for a long time—we need to learn to use our senses again.” says Irina Simoncini, a biochemist, research and development expert for Microtarians, Luxembourg.
The Second Life of Food
Leftovers are not trash. They are ingredients. Do not scrape your plate into the bin. Go online and search for “zero-waste recipes” from experts like Jamie Oliver or BBC Good Food. You can turn old bread into a new meal. You can turn wilted vegetables into soup. Save your money. Save the food.
Stop Waiting. Start Moving.
Do you still feel lost sometimes? Do you stare at the label and feel confused? That is normal. We are all humans, we all make mistakes. But do not let confusion stop you. Guilt does not help the planet. Action does. Do not try to be perfect, just try to be better. Here are some common barriers and our markers to help you:
“I don’t have time to make a plan.”
Use a shopping list app such as Bring! or Listonic to make planning easier and less stressful.
“I plan too much—there’s always something left over.”
Make a weekly plan with simple dishes that saves time and reduces waste.
“I don’t know how to store things properly.”
Use visible boxes and sort new food behind existing food in your refrigerator to ensure older items are used first. The USDA FoodKeeper app provides tips for shelf life and storage.
“I thought it was no longer good.”
Use your senses: look, smell, and taste. The best-before date is not a throw-away date. Check the USDA FoodKeeper app or Too Good To Go for specific food storage guidance.
“I can’t use up leftovers.”
Use the app My Fridge Food for easy leftover recipes with a search function. You can also:
- Cook a weekly leftover day where you prepare meals from what you have
- Garnish with spices, herbs, or dips
- Turn them into a casserole, soup, or smoothie
“It doesn’t look appetizing anymore.”
Get creative! Repurpose food through:
- Composting food scraps
- Fermenting surplus food instead of throwing it away
- Freezing items for later use
- Adding garnishes, spices, and herbs to make dishes more appealing
“I can’t see what’s at the back anymore.”
Organize your refrigerator properly with these tips:
- Keep visible boxes to store items
- Always place new food behind existing food to follow the FIFO (first in, first out) principle
- Label and date containers
- Use the apps USDA FoodKeeper or Too Good To Go for storage guidance
Knowledge Protects Against Waste
Those who know where food comes from and how it is made, waste less. Food education builds appreciation and helps avoid waste. Consider learning about:
Fermentation: With a little salt, water, and time (and no electricity), you can extend the shelf life of food and preserve both taste and nutrients.
Seasonal foods: Eating seasonally reduces waste and supports local producers
DIY preservation techniques: Learn how to freeze, pickle, or preserve surplus food
Get More Involved
If you have already taken your first small step at home, and you are interested in expanding your impact beyond your household, Foodsharing Luxembourg offers several ways to get involved:
- Join our Foodsaving project to pick up and redistribute edible food from businesses that would otherwise be thrown away
- Use our Foodsharing Points to share surplus food with your community for free
- Organize a workshop in your school or company about food waste issues
- Become a Foodsaver and help rescue food in your area
- Support us financially if you’d like to contribute to our mission
This page incorporates research and tips from Foodsharing Luxembourg, the European+ project “Waste Less, Taste More” traveling exhibition, developed by foodsharing e.V. (Germany), Microtarians SIS (Luxembourg), and IDELUX Environnement (Belgium) as part of the EU Erasmus Adult Education Program.
