How to reduce food waste

At least 1.3 billion metric tons of food is wasted globally each year, according to WRAP.

Following some simple tips could mean you waste less food, and money, and live more sustainably too.

Set a budget for your shopping. Do it for the week or just for a particular meal, and don’t go over it. Professional chefs work out the price per person for a reason.

Batch cook at the weekend. It could save you time and effort during the week, and freeze ahead for lunches, instead of buying from a shop each day.

Embrace ‘wonky’ vegetables. There’s no need for a perfectly straight carrot if you’re making soup, so why pay more? Many supermarkets now sell wonky veg at a lower price.

Points make prizes. Use those loyalty points you’ve built up, perhaps treating yourself once in a while as a reward for sticking to your budget. And look out for opportunities to ‘trade up’ and exchange your points for restaurant or experience vouchers.