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Food waste:��it is an insanely important sustainability issue that we can improve within our own homes.��Research estimates that upwards of 50% of the total amount of food that is wasted comes from our own kitchens.��As a forefront topic in most sustainable development goals, it is important to remember that each person can make a difference by choosing to live sustainably. One action we can take is to reduce our own individual consumption and waste.��Lowering��our food waste starts in the kitchen!

A key thing to keep in mind is that��food waste that ends up in the landfill does not compost as you might think; it��rots and releases methane. �鶹ӰԺ��95% of all the food that we waste in the United States ends up in landfills.��

One major step you can take is to simply learn how to compost. Composting is an awesome way to reduce the waste you send to our landfills.��, so composting helps significantly reduce these emissions.

Here are links to some other ZWOT member’s articles that would be helpful:

• Setting up a backyard compost!
• All about composting
• Composting basics
• Industrial compost
• Another massive change is to save the scraps to use for various things.
• Lots of vegetable scraps can be frozen to later be turned into a��
• Opt for frozen produce over fresh produce

��This amount of food could feed 868 million of the world’s hungry, four times the amount they'd need to lead a nourished��life.��

• Being even a bit more mindful allows you to save money and��these precious and vital food resources.��
• Dedicate one meal a week��to using all leftover ingredients or other foods you might've overlooked in the fridge or freezer.
• Get creative in saving your leftover or unused food. Search Pinterest or other websites for ideas and recipes��to use waste and scraps.
• Repurposing leftovers��saves time and money.

Live a more intentional life and know what's in your fridge, what's in your pantry and pay attention to the use-by dates for perishable items.��Otherwise, use expiration dates as guides (they are usually not FDA approved).

Making a few changes in our habits and kitchen routines is key��to reducing our food waste and can make an impact on climate change.��

• Shop smarter. Go to the store with a specific list of food you need and stick to this list.
• Plan your meals ahead of time.
• Have a zero waste grocery shopping trip!��Read more .
• Glass jars��and tupperware are your new best friends!
• Learn the best ways��to keep your food and leftovers safe and fresh for longer, without using plastics.
• Keep an organized pantry and fridge/freezer, so you can easily access and see the food you have at all times. It is easy to forget about food when you do not see it.��This can help prevent food from going bad simply because it's hidden.
• Take note of what you throw away each week so you can reassess for future shopping trips.
• Use airtight containers to keep your food from going bad.
• Make smaller portions sizes to avoid having uneaten food.
• Organize your fridge/pantry with the older foods in the front and the newest foods towards the back - a��“first in, first out” method.

• Mason jars
• Bulk soaps
• Fabric produce bags
• Natural bristle brush
• Cloth napkins
• Reusable shopping bags
• Beeswax wraps
• French press
• Reusable coffee filters
• Reusable snack bags
• And more!

Other helpful articles from��Zero waste...did you kno

• Landfills destruction
• Fridge hacks
• Also, CU students, there is��composting available in all academic buildings on campus!
• So be sure to check when eating your tupperware meals if you have any food scraps.