Every year, billions of pounds of edible food are thrown away around the world — much of it from our own kitchens. This waste doesn’t just cost money; it also wastes the energy, water, and labor that went into producing the food. The good news? Reducing food waste at home is simple and rewarding. With a few new habits and the help of smart food waste apps like Crumb, you can make a real difference for your wallet and the planet.

How to Reduce Food Waste at Home?

1. Plan Your Meals Like a Pro

The first step to reducing waste is planning. Too often, we shop without a plan, buy too much, and forget what’s hiding in the back of the fridge. The solution is to plan your meals for the week before you head to the store. Take five minutes to look through your fridge and pantry, write down what you already have, and build your menu around those ingredients. Then make a realistic shopping list — and stick to it.

Bonus tip: Try to plan “flexible meals” that can adapt to what you have on hand. For example, a stir-fry, pasta dish, or soup can use up many different vegetables or proteins you might otherwise throw away.

2. Store Food the Right Way

A big chunk of food waste comes from improper storage. Every ingredient has its own preferences when it comes to temperature and humidity. Keep your fridge at around 4°C (40°F) and your freezer at -18°C (0°F). Store fruit and vegetables in the correct drawers and keep dry goods like flour or rice in airtight containers. Little tricks can also make a big difference — for example, storing herbs upright in a glass of water like flowers, or keeping apples away from bananas so they don’t ripen too fast. Learning how to store food properly will keep your groceries fresh longer and save you dozens of dollars every month.

3. Use Food Waste Apps

Technology can be a powerful ally in your fight against food waste. A growing number of food waste apps are helping individuals and businesses reduce excess food, share surplus meals, and cook smarter. Here are some of the best options to try:

Crumb – Turn Your Leftovers into Delicious Meals

If you want a simple, fun way to waste less and cook more creatively, try Crumb. This smart app helps you reduce food waste by generating personalized recipes from the ingredients you already have at home. Just type or say what’s in your fridge, and Crumb instantly suggests meal ideas that match your taste, dietary preferences, and available time. It helps you use up food before it expires — saving you money while supporting a zero-waste lifestyle.

Too Good To Go

This app connects you with restaurants, cafés, and grocery stores offering “surprise bags” of unsold food at discounted prices. Instead of letting perfectly good food go to waste, you rescue it — and discover new local spots along the way.

Olio

Olio takes a community-based approach. It allows you to share surplus food with neighbors instead of throwing it away. Whether it’s leftover produce, unopened pasta, or baked goods, someone nearby can pick it up for free.

NoWaste

NoWaste helps you track what’s in your fridge and pantry by logging expiration dates and sending reminders before food goes bad. It’s ideal for busy households or anyone who tends to forget about those yogurts hiding behind the milk carton. By integrating these tools into your daily routine, you’ll see just how easy — and satisfying — it can be to drastically cut down your household waste.

4. Cook Smaller Portions

One of the simplest ways to reduce food waste at home is to cook only what you need. Many of us tend to prepare large meals “just in case,” and the leftovers often end up forgotten in the fridge. Start by serving smaller portions — you can always go back for seconds. If you’re following a recipe, consider adjusting the quantities to match your household size. For example, if a recipe serves four and you’re cooking for two, simply halve the ingredients. Cooking smaller portions means less food left uneaten, fewer forgotten leftovers, and fresher meals every day. It’s an easy habit that quickly pays off.

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5. Understand Expiration Dates

Many people throw away food that’s still perfectly safe to eat because they misunderstand labels like “best before” or “use by.” Here’s the key difference:

  • “Best before” is about quality — the food might lose some flavor or texture after that date, but it’s usually still fine to eat.

  • “Use by” is about safety — after that date, the product might not be safe for consumption.

Always trust your senses before tossing something. Look, smell, and taste when appropriate. You’ll be surprised how much food is still good beyond its printed date.

6. Compost What’s Left

Even with perfect planning, some food scraps are unavoidable — banana peels, eggshells, coffee grounds. Instead of sending them to a landfill, turn them into something useful: compost. Composting transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich soil for your plants. You can compost at home using a small bin or check if your city has a local compost collection program. It’s one of the simplest ways to make your household more sustainable.

7. Freeze Food Before It Goes Bad

Your freezer is your best friend when it comes to reducing waste. Almost everything can be frozen — bread, cooked meals, herbs, even cheese. If you know you won’t eat something in time, freeze it before it spoils. Label everything with the date and contents so you can easily find what you need later. Freezing extends shelf life by weeks or months without sacrificing quality.

8. Shop Smart and Local

Buying from local markets or smaller shops helps you buy fresh and in smaller quantities, reducing the risk of overbuying. Plus, local produce tends to last longer since it hasn’t traveled as far. Whenever possible, choose loose fruits and vegetables instead of pre-packaged ones — this allows you to buy exactly the amount you need, avoiding waste and plastic packaging.

9. Practice “First In, First Out”

In restaurants and supermarkets, the FIFO method (First In, First Out) is a standard — and it works just as well at home. When you unpack groceries, move older items to the front of your fridge or pantry and place new ones in the back. This simple trick ensures you use up what you bought first, keeping forgotten foods from expiring in the shadows of your shelves.

10. Learn to Love “Ugly” Produce

Not all fruits and vegetables are perfectly shaped — and that’s okay! “Ugly” produce often tastes just as good, yet tons of it are discarded before ever reaching stores. Buy imperfect-looking items at farmers’ markets or through apps that specialize in rescuing them. You’ll often pay less and help reduce waste across the supply chain.

Reducing food waste at home doesn’t require perfection — just awareness, creativity, and the right tools. By planning your meals, storing food properly, using smart apps like Crumb, and following these 10 practical tips, you can save money, enjoy better meals, and protect the planet at the same time. Because every meal you save is more than just a meal — it’s a step toward a more sustainable world, one kitchen at a time.