12 Smart ways to reduce food waste in the fridge 2023

Because of war, the world has faced food shortages. That is why we need to focus on ways to reduce food waste. No one should have to endure food insecurity. It is time to reduce food waste. That is why this article is written to show you 12 ways to reduce food waste in the fridge with the hope to try them and start reducing food pollution.

1- Adjust the temperature of your refrigerator

Adjust the temperature of your refrigerator below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Higher temperature is great for pathogens to produce toxins that can spoil everything. Make sure to check your refrigerator’s digital temperature. Use a regular thermometer there to make sure that your refrigerator temperature works well and does not consume more energy. Therefore, your food remains healthy and you will not pay for electricity more than you need to. 

2- Adjust the temperature of your freezer

Adjust the temperature of your freezer to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Food spoilage will not occur at this temperature.

3- Clean your refrigerator regularly

Bacteria and mould spores can circulate in your refrigerator and spoil food. Therefore, it is better to clean your refrigerator regularly to remove them. Throw away old food. You can decontaminate your refrigerator by combining one tablespoon of bleach ( or vinegar) mixed with one litter of water. Also, baking soda is good to get rid of bad odours.

4- Freeze if it is required

Freezing the rest of the food is a great way to reduce food waste. You can buy seasonal tropical fruits and some vegetables. Then cut them into equal parts or juice them. In other seasons, you can use them in your meal. Cooked food, grated cheese, whole lime, peaches and avocados can all be frozen. You can even mix them once they are frozen and eat them instead of ice cream. It is healthier.

Moreover, you can freeze grains and legumes. Always remember to put the date of freezing on the foods in the freezer. Hence, you know when to use which one freezes first. In this way, you will not have to pay an extra amount of money to buy unnecessary foods and your freezer will not be too full. When planning your meals, pay attention to what you have in the freezer.

5- Reducing freezer burn to reduce food waste

When air is reaching the frozen food in the freezer, the food will be dehydrated and oxidised. This condition is called “Freezer Burn”. Generally, this happens when the frozen food is not packed properly and air can enter and causes a freezer burn. Freezer burn leaves some brown spots on frozen food. Ice crystals may also form in freezer burns. Sometimes, the taste and the colour of the food will change. But you can still eat the food and make sure it will not hurt your health.

6- Put proteins products into the refrigerator immediately

Froze meat, fish, and dairy products to prevent them from spoiling once you purchase them. You can cut them up and put them in the freezer. Meat and fish can stay in the freezer for months. Milk, cheese and butter can also be frozen. Mind that cheese dries out and becomes brittle in time. For this reason, it is better to grate the cheese before freezing.

7- Freeze vegetables in oil

This tip is really simple. If you have extra veggies, add them to an ice tray and drizzle with your favourite oil. Try olive oil or coconut oil. After freezing, place them in a freezer container and use them in your food recipes such as pasta and soup.

8- Store raw food less

If raw meat or fish or lettuce spills on your cooked food, throw the food away. The food will be contaminated and it is not a good fit to eat. You can store cooked food in biodegradable tableware, that is suitable for refrigerators, on higher shelves above fruits and raw vegetables.

9- Cover the food in the refrigerator to reduce food waste

Due to the presence of mould and bacteria in your refrigerator, store food in closed or covered containers to prevent contamination. Dry any condensation inside closed containers as well. Moulds and bacteria love moisture. To be more environmentally friendly, you can use biodegradable tableware to store food in the refrigerator. Behzist biodegradable tableware that is also available to purchase on this site is made from corn starch, a renewable resource. You can also put food in biodegradable tableware in the freezer and heat them directly in the microwave. No chemicals will leak from these containers into the food they carry.

10- Leave new purchases behind

Learn this rule. Always put the new purchases you buy in the refrigerator behind the old purchases. Note that the old purchases will not spoil and you have neither food waste nor wasted money.

11- Keep food away from the air

Bacteria and mould in your refrigerator need moisture and oxygen to survive and grow. So keep the food dry. If you store food in plastic bags, it is better to vacuum them to remove the air. However, we do not recommend to use of plastic containers. Plastic containers and plastic bags, in turn, cause environmental pollution.

12- Share this article

Share the solutions in this article with your friends. If we take personal responsibility to reduce food waste, then we can prevent food shortages in the future. There are many ways to reduce food waste. Do you recommend us other tips? Then comment below this article. We are eager to know further tips.