Food waste is a major issue for many households across the UK, wasting both our time and money.
Now, a survey of 2,000 Brits has revealed the shocking extent of the problem.
The survey, commissioned by Aldi, found that a third (32 per cent) of us claim to have the best intentions to eat healthy fruits and vegetables.
However, more than half (54 per cent) admit to throwing too much of it away, with the average household chucking out a whopping nine pieces every week.
Shockingly, over the course of a year, that amounts to £468.
As part of the survey, Aldi also pinpointed the most commonly thrown away fresh food items in Britain.
Bananas top the list, with households each chucking away an average of 115 a year, while tomatoes, mushrooms, and ‘easy peelers’ are also ending up in the bin.
So, are you guilty of chucking these items out in your home?
A survey, commissioned by Aldi, found that a third (32 per cent) of us claim to have the best intentions to eat healthy fruits and vegetables
After bananas, tomatoes and potatoes were found to be the next most frequently binned fresh food items, with British households chucking away 99 every year on average.
Other items on the list include apples (88), onions (83), and peppers (83).
Overall, 56 per cent of those surveyed admitted that they completely forget about the healthy food they’ve bought at the supermarket.
Almost a quarter (24 per cent) said they only get through half a bag of salad before having to throw it away.
Meanwhile, 57 per cent admitted they don’t fully understand exactly where and how to store food to keep it fresh for longer.
Only three in 10 (30 per cent) of Brits know to buy bananas green to make them last longer, while just 29 per cent know it’s best to put tomatoes on the counter, not in the fridge.
The research also found that families are struggling the most not to waste food, as 28 percent agree having a family makes it much harder to limit food waste.
Interestingly, 55 percent of the 45-59-year-olds polled believed that their age group are the most concerned about reducing food waste compared to other generations.
After bananas, tomatoes and potatoes were found to be the next most frequently binned fresh food items, with British households chucking away 99 every year on average
Thankfully, there are several easy measures you can take to reduce your household’s food waste, according to FareShare.
One easy thing you can do is check what you’ve already got in your cupboards and fridge before you head to the supermarket for your weekly shop.
‘It won’t just help you reduce your food waste – it will save you money too,’ FareShare said.
It’s also best to check the use-by dates of food when you buy it.
‘Use-by dates are about food safety, so these are the dates to pay attention to,’ the charity advised.
‘Only buy something if you know you’ll have the time to eat it before it goes off.’
As tiresome as it may seem at the time, planning your meals for the week ahead can also pay off.
‘Don’t forget to think about how you’re going to use up the leftovers,’ FareShare said.
In addition, check your fridge is at the correct temperature – somewhere between 0-5°C.
FareShare added: ‘Some foods, especially dairy products, will go off much quicker if it’s warmer.’
Finally, if you don’t think you’re going to get through the veg in your fridge, parboil and freeze it.
Alternatively, spend a bit of time batch-cooking meals to freeze in individual portions.
‘That way you’ll always have something delicious to eat, and nothing gets wasted,’ the charity concluded.
