One of the themes of One Action Together is sustainable eating.
The way we eat has a significant impact on the planet, from the energy used to produce food to the waste generated in the process. By making more sustainable food choices, we can reduce our carbon footprint, conserve water, and support the long-term health of ecosystems.
Reducing Food Waste
One of the most critical components of sustainable eating is reducing food waste.
You can reduce your food waste by doing the following actions:
Once you have taken a step to increase the sustainability in your eating habits make sure to share it on your social media tagging @stalbansgreenertogether.
1. Plan Your Meals
- Create a weekly meal plan: Planning meals for the week helps you buy only what you need.
- Write a shopping list: Stick to the list when shopping to avoid buying excess food that you may not use.
2. Buy Only What You Need
- Buy smaller amounts or single servings of perishable items that might spoil before you have a chance to use them.
3. Proper Food Storage
- Use airtight containers: Storing leftovers and opened packages in airtight containers can prevent food from spoiling too quickly.
- Freezing leftovers: If you have excess food or leftovers, freezing them can preserve their quality and prevent waste.
4. Use Leftovers Creatively
- Repurpose leftovers: Turn last night’s dinner into a new meal—like using leftover roast vegetables in a soup or turning stale bread into croutons or breadcrumbs.
- Local chef Fadia’s Food Adventures runs sustainable cooking courses to help people make the most of their leftovers and scraps.
5. Understand Expiry Dates
- Distinguish between “sell by,” “use by,” and “best before” dates: These dates don’t necessarily mean the food is unsafe to eat. Often, items can be used safely after these dates, especially if stored correctly.
- First-in, first-out: When organizing your pantry or fridge, place older items in front so they are used first, reducing the chances of food going to waste.
6. Compost Food Scraps
- Start composting: Instead of throwing away food scraps like peels, cores, and coffee grounds, compost them to create nutrient-rich soil for gardens. This reduces landfill waste and enriches your soil.
- For more information on composting and local composting action check out Soil Squad, our local composting hub.
8. Share or Donate Food
- Share and donate excess food.
- Food can be donated to the St Albans Community Pantry or the St Albans & District Food Bank.
Plant-based Diet
One of the most effective ways to eat sustainably is by choosing plant-based foods. Plant-based diets generally require fewer resources, such as water and land, and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to animal-based foods
You can begin to incorporate plant-based eating habits by:.
1. Eating plant based one day a week
- Following a vegan diet one day per week can significantly reduce personal carbon footprint as well as introducing new fun styles of cooking and potential health benefits.
2. Understanding the impact of the food you eat
- Find out the environmental impact of the foods you regularly eat with this interactive tool – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46459714.
3. Research and Recipes
- Read more about the benefits of being vegan and check out some simple options for plant-based recipes compiled by Sustainable St Albans.
Once you have taken a step to increase the sustainability in your eating habits make sure to share it on your social media tagging @stalbansgreenertogether.
Example Post
Caption: Today I planned my meals and shopping list before I went to do my food shop so I only brought what I needed to do my bit to decrease food waste in the District. @stalbansgreenertogehter #OneActionTogether
We can’t wait to see all your excellent sustainability actions!