You thought you had single-plastic use all figured out. Just when you think throwing plastic wraps away was bad. Here's a cringe-worthy one. Unearthing heads of lettuce and rolls in a landfill that still looks good enough to consume.
Some insights into this mysterious process were provided back in 1992 when a group of archeologists did a systematic dig, minutely sifting, recording and classifying their findings in a book called Rubbish.
There’s a reason for it - when food is sealed airtight in a plastic bag and surrounded by pound-upon-pound of other plastic bags, glass, and paper, the scraps of food trapped in the plastic bags have no access to oxygen.
This means beneficial microorganisms and worms won't be able to break them down faster. The process now becomes far slower than it should be. Simply put, the organic matter in landfills doesn't really decompose. It mummifies.
So, because we too, hate throwing away food that’s gone bad, leftovers or food that’s wilted away before we even get to it, we thought of sharing with you our eco-friendly tips to help you reduce food wastage - naturally!
Counting down from #10, here are our suggestions:
#10: White Magic Stay Fresh Mat
An uncomplicated product, with an uncompromising payout. We’re not the only ones using this mat, our customers are using them too. Its unique material enables air circulation under your fresh vegetables and fruits, doubling its life longer. It also absorbs access liquid and prevents mould. If you’re looking to fit your fresh produce area in the fridge, the mat can easily be trimmed to fit the space.
Price: $8.95 $5.95
#9: Dr. Fridge Food Saver Ball
The fresh produce saviour! Shaped like a pineapple, this 11 cm diameter food saver is able to remove harmful gases like ethylene and carbon dioxide, all while keeping the germs away from your fresh foods. If you’re looking beyond being wasteful, it solves your budget issues too. It can last up to three years. Which means long-term investment and living life with less food waste comes hand in hand with this food saver ball.
Price: $24.95 $15.95
#8: Perpara Herb Savor Mini
This herb savour pod lets you eat your cilantro before it turns slimy. Even Oprah Winfrey had an herb tizzy moment with it. You can triple the life of your fresh herb for up to three weeks. All you have to do to keep it fresh for that long is to change the fresh water in the housing through the tethered filler and refill every 3-5 days. The pod has a see-through cover so you can see what’s inside, plus it doesn’t take up space in your refrigerator. Herbs you can store are basil, parsley, asparagus, chives, rosemary, oregano, thyme, dill and even asparagus.
Price: $19.95 $12.95
#7: Progressive Herb Keeper
Yes, this is another version of the Perpara Herb Savor Mini. The only difference is that this herb keeper features a little basket that lifts with the lid when you open for easy removable and placing of herbs. Add water to keep herbs fresh and hydrated.
Price: $29.95 $18.95
#6: Progressive Brown Sugar ProKeeper (1.4L)
Keeping brown sugar sweeter than sweet. Progressive’s neat canister invention comes with a removable terra cotta disk to keep brown sugar moist whilst in storage. All you need to do is wet the disk, pat it dry and attach it to the silicone lid. You can even anticipate when you’re sugar is about to run out with it’s easy to read measurement markings.
Price: $34.95 $18.95
#5: The Swag Starter Pack Set of 4
Literally putting on some swag to your fruits and vegetables - 100% Au Naturel! The number one reason why we love it is that of its unique 3 layer material made out of unbleached and unseeded cotton which protects and allows oxygen into your leafy greens. And the other reason and always is a good one is that it’s washable, which means it’s reusable.
Price: $74.95 $71.95
#4: Eco Fresh Keeper Reusable + Biodegradable Zip Bag.
Made in Korea, this zip bag is made of alkali plant-based material! Some people may ask what do you do then when you can’t use the bag after reusing many times? The answer is biodegrading. Since it's made out of natural materials you can decompose it without polluting the earth. It’s also chemical and BPA free, preventing moulding and oxidation. How many times can you use one bag you ask? You can use it up to 5 times.
Price: $12.95 $6.95
#3: Eco Fresh Keeper Reusable + Biodegradable Produce Bag
Another one from the Fresh Keeper. The only difference from our #4 is that it has no zip. But it functions and can store pretty much the same things such as fresh fruits and vegetable, fresh poultry and even seafood. This bag lasts up to 5 times of wash. It's completely biodegradable and it’s free from quite a number of industrial chemicals such as BPA, Endocrines, Phthalates, Dioxin, PBDE, and PCB.
Price: $15.95 $8.95
#2: Eco Fresh Filtered Canister (1L)
Every little nut, bean, cereal, m&m’s deserve a space of its own - a space that will keep them fresh, crunchy and tasty longer (especially treats!). This canister is a 2-in-1 food storage box that features fresh pad silicone lids containing natural ceramic pallets made from 100% natural minerals, it shuts out bacteria and because it is stain resistant it controls odour from the canister contents. Did we mention that the canister body can be sterilized? Yes, it can because it is heat resistant.
Price: $16.95 $12.95
#1: Eco Fresh Food Saver Produce Pad
Saving the best for first! This produce pad sums up all of the above. We say this because, on top of storing your food and organizing them for less wastage, you can use this produce pad to balance out your food item’s pantry or fridge atmosphere - boosting the freshness of your food even longer. Its designed with 2 suction on the back of the pad so you’re able to stick it in your fridge or pantry wall. What it does is, it merely absorbs any excess moisture as well as kill odours.
Prices: $16.95 $11.95
Before we sign-off, we’d like to point out that with these tips, the most obvious next step is to refrain from throwing uneaten food. Organize your shopping and grocery storage a little better. Start planning for what you can do with the leftovers after cooking. The point is, there are so many ways you can practice to reduce food wastage.
We're inspired by conversations on Everten Love to Cook and we're sharing with you tips and tricks so you can make the best decisions before shopping for cookware.
Everten Love to Cook supports our readers with product recommendations that can help improve lives at home. Prices for products listed above are accurate at the time of publish and prices may be subject to changes.
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