Let’s talk about food waste. NPR reported that “the average college student generates 142 pounds of food waste a year, according to Recycling Works, a program in Massachusetts. And college campuses as a group throw out a total of 22 million pounds of uneaten food each year, the Food Recovery Network has found.” As most of us are college students with probably about $12.72 in our bank account, we can’t afford to be wasting 142 pounds of food. Not only is it harmful to our wallets, it is harmful to the environment. So, how can we combat this problem and cut down on waste?
Being mindful of your shopping habits while buying groceries is actually easier than you would think. One of the easiest first steps is to simply make a list. First, write down all of the things you absolutely need; these are items that are non-negotiable and necessary. Then, move onto the items you want, but do not necessarily need if you go over your budget. While shopping, only stick to your list. Do not roam the aisles, staring at the double-stuffed oreos that you think you need to have (okay, let’s be honest—everyone always needs double-stuffed oreos). If you are only buying for one (yourself), remember that you don’t need large quantities of things. It will just go bad and unused.
It is also important to be mindful of the companies you are buying your products from. It’s always great to shop local and support the small businesses that are in your own community. However, this is not always an option for college students, as sometimes corporations sell products for cheaper, which is all some students can afford. One of the best places I have found to buy my groceries from is an online site called “Imperfect Foods.” The organization takes food that is rejected from grocery stores and sells at a lower cost to reduce waste. Don’t worry, there is nothing wrong with the food; it is perfectly okay to eat. The reason they get rejected from grocery stores is usually because of one of these reasons: the item is discontinued, there is a surplus, there is a cosmetic imperfection, it is short-coded, or there is a packaging change, which Imperfect Foods explains more in depth on their website.
The last way to reduce waste is to donate, donate, donate. If you do find yourself buying more than you needed, or you bought the wrong ingredient for your meal, donate to a local food pantry. Great items that you can donate are any canned foods or boxed foods. They will gladly take whatever you can give, and give it to those who need it.
Being resourceful is all about being conscious; conscious of what you are buying and where you are buying it from. Don’t be one of those college students who waste 142 pounds of food! You will save money, time, and product in the long-run, just by being mindful of the little things.
Sources:
Poon, Linda. “When Food Is Too Good To Waste, College Kids Pick Up The Scraps.” NPR, NPR, 27 Feb. 2015, www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/02/27/389284061/when-food-is-too-good-…