Food Waste Action Week, the UK’s annual food waste reduction campaign, is set to run from 17 to 23 March 2025. Established in 2021, this initiative brings together businesses, government bodies, and global partners to raise awareness about the environmental impact of food waste. The focus this year is on encouraging consumers to buy loose fruits and vegetables, allowing them to purchase only what they need and reduce waste.

Food waste is a significant issue in the UK, with households discarding 6.6 million tonnes of food annually, nearly three-quarters of which is edible. This waste contributes to climate change, as decomposing food produces methane and greenhouse gases. Addressing food waste is crucial for environmental sustainability and can lead to financial savings for households.

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Here are practical steps to reduce food waste at home:

1. Plan Meals and Shop Smart

Before shopping, check your cupboards and fridge to avoid buying items you already have. Create a shopping list based on planned meals and stick to it, resisting impulse purchases. Be cautious with bulk buying, especially for perishable items, to prevent spoilage. ​

2. Understand Date Labels

Confusion over date labels leads to unnecessary waste. ‘Use by’ dates indicate safety; consume these foods by the specified date. ‘Best before’ dates refer to quality; products may still be safe to eat after this date, though they might not be at their best. ​

3. Store Food Properly

Proper storage extends the life of food. Keep your fridge at 5°C or below. Store fruits and vegetables appropriately; for example, keep citrus fruits in the fridge to prevent shriveling, and store avocados, peppers, and tomatoes on the counter.

4. Use Leftovers Creatively

Transform leftovers into new meals. For instance, stale bread can become breadcrumbs or stuffing. Vegetable scraps can be used for soups or stocks. This approach minimizes waste and adds variety to your meal.

5. Embrace Food-Sharing Apps

Utilize food-sharing apps like Too Good To Go, which connects users with surplus food from local businesses at reduced prices. This not only prevents food from going to waste but also offers affordable meal options.

6. Support Supermarket Initiatives

Some supermarkets are taking steps to reduce food waste. For example, Tesco is trialing a program where food nearing its sell-by date is given away for free at select Express stores after 9:30 pm. Taking advantage of such initiatives can help reduce waste and save money

7. Buy Loose Produce

Purchasing loose fruits and vegetables allows you to buy the exact quantities needed, reducing the likelihood of waste. Research indicates that if all apples, bananas, and potatoes were sold loose, 8.2 million shopping baskets worth of food waste could be prevented annually.

8. Preserve and Freeze

Freezing is an effective way to extend the shelf life of many foods, including bread, fruits, and cooked meals. Properly portion and label items before freezing to ensure they are used effectively. ​

9. Donate Surplus Food

If you have non-perishable items you won’t use, consider donating them to local food banks or community fridges. This supports those in need and prevents food from going to waste. ​

10. Compost Organic Waste

For unavoidable food waste like peels and cores, composting is an eco-friendly disposal method. Composting returns nutrients to the soil and reduces methane emissions from landfills. ​

UK households can play a pivotal role in reducing food waste. Participating in Food Waste Action Week 2025 is an excellent opportunity to adopt sustainable habits that benefit both the environment and your wallet.