How to Reduce Food Waste and Save Money in the UK
- Jamie Reid - Credit, Loans & Everyday Money Writer
- Apr 7
- 5 min read
Food waste is one of the most avoidable drains on household budgets in the UK. Whether it’s leftovers that never get eaten or fruit that spoils before you get to it, throwing food away is essentially throwing money in the bin.
The average UK household wastes £60 worth of food per month, according to WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme). That’s over £700 a year — money that could be redirected towards savings, debt repayment, or simply reducing your weekly shop.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to reduce food waste and save money using realistic, easy-to-implement strategies. From smarter storage to portion control and creative cooking, these tips are designed for everyday UK life and can have a big impact on your bank balance.
Why Reducing Food Waste Matters
Reducing food waste is about more than just saving money — although that’s a major benefit. Here’s why it matters:
Environmental impact: Food waste contributes to methane emissions in landfill.
Rising grocery costs: With food inflation, making the most of what you buy is critical.
Household efficiency: Less waste means fewer trips to the supermarket and a more organised kitchen.
Even small changes can have a measurable effect over time.
Step 1: Understand What You’re Wasting (and Why)
Start by keeping track of what you're throwing away each week. Most UK households waste the same culprits repeatedly:
Mouldy bread
Soft vegetables
Overripe fruit
Leftovers from large meals
Half-used jars or containers
Action Step: Keep a simple “waste log” on your fridge or in a notes app. Identify patterns in what gets binned — this is where your savings will come from.
Step 2: Plan Meals with Waste Reduction in Mind
Meal planning isn’t just for ultra-budgeters — it’s a proven method to reduce excess food buying and avoid impulse purchases.
Meal Planning Tips:
Choose flexible recipes with overlapping ingredients (e.g. roast chicken becomes curry, then soup).
Use your freezer as a backup plan — freeze portions if plans change midweek.
Leave a “leftover night” once a week to clear the fridge.
Read our guide on: How to Save Money on Your Weekly Food Shop
Step 3: Make Smarter Shopping Lists
A focused list helps you shop with intent, rather than on autopilot.
List Strategies:
Check what you already have before you shop.
Use your meal plan to build a precise list — not guesswork.
Organise your list by supermarket aisle to avoid unnecessary browsing.
Bonus Tip: Stick to a weekly shop and avoid too many “top-up shops,” which often result in overspending and forgotten fridge contents.
Step 4: Store Food Properly to Extend Its Life
Much food waste comes from poor storage rather than spoilage. Knowing how to store your food correctly can add days or even weeks to its usable life.
Storage Hacks:
Bananas and apples produce ethylene gas that ripens nearby items — store separately.
Bread lasts longer in the freezer or a bread bin, not the fridge.
Milk keeps best on the fridge’s middle shelf, not the door (which is warmest).
Herbs last longer when stored upright in a glass of water in the fridge.
Check the Food Standards Agency for guidelines on safe storage and best-before dates.
Step 5: Understand Food Labels: Best Before vs Use By
Many shoppers bin food unnecessarily due to confusion over labels.
Use by dates relate to safety. Do not eat past this date unless frozen in time.
Best before dates relate to quality. These can often be safely ignored if the item looks and smells fine.
Use Your Senses: If food looks, smells, and tastes fine — and it's past its best before date — it’s likely still edible.
Step 6: Make the Most of Leftovers
Instead of letting cooked food linger at the back of the fridge, plan to use leftovers creatively.
Leftover Makeover Ideas:
Roast dinner leftovers → bubble & squeak or a wrap filling
Cooked rice → egg-fried rice the next day
Spaghetti bolognese → jacket potato topping
Overripe bananas → banana bread, smoothies, or frozen for later
Store leftovers in clear containers so you can see what’s there — out of sight often means out of mind.
Step 7: Freeze Smarter and More Often
The freezer is your best ally in reducing food waste.
Foods You Can Freeze (That People Often Don’t):
Cheese (grated and bagged)
Cooked pasta or rice
Eggs (cracked and whisked)
Fresh herbs (chopped into ice cube trays with a little oil)
Milk (in small bottles, defrost slowly in fridge)
Pro Tip: Label items with the date and portion size before freezing — it saves time and prevents waste later.
Step 8: Use Food Waste Apps and Community Initiatives
There are now several UK-based apps and services that help reduce food waste while also saving you money.
Top Picks:
Too Good To Go – Rescue “magic bags” of surplus food from restaurants and bakeries for as little as £2–£4.
OLIO – Share or collect unwanted food from neighbours, local stores, and community groups — all free.
NoWaste – Track your fridge and freezer contents to avoid forgotten items.
Read our guide on: Cheapest Takeaway Apps in the UK
Step 9: Batch Cook and Portion Sensibly
Cooking in bulk saves money and prevents waste when done correctly.
Batch Cooking Tips:
Cook large portions of base meals (e.g., stews, soups, curries).
Freeze in individual portions for quick lunches or emergency dinners.
Label everything clearly with contents and dates.
Watch Out For: Cooking too much without a plan to store or eat it creates more waste, not less.
Step 10: Start Composting (Even in a Flat)
If you do end up with unavoidable food waste (like peelings, coffee grounds, or eggshells), composting is a great way to reduce environmental impact.
Use a compost bin in your garden, or check with your local council for food waste collection.
For flat-dwellers, consider a countertop compost bin or indoor wormery.
Check your council's service here: https://www.gov.uk/recycling-collections
A Unique Strategy: Implement a “Zero Waste Shelf” in Your Fridge
Designate one shelf as the “eat me first” zone — a visible area for items nearing their expiry date. Make it a habit to check this shelf before every meal.
This simple visual cue has been shown to drastically reduce spoilage in households that consistently follow it — especially when shared among family members or flatmates.
FAQs
What’s the most wasted food in UK households?
Bread is the most commonly wasted item, followed by fresh fruit and vegetables, especially salad leaves and potatoes.
Can you freeze food after the use-by date?
Only if frozen before the use-by date. Freezing preserves food safely, but don’t freeze food that’s already expired.
Is it safe to eat food after the best-before date?
Yes — as long as the food shows no signs of spoilage, best-before dates refer to quality, not safety.
How much money can I save by reducing food waste?
The average UK household can save over £700 per year by cutting avoidable food waste.
What’s the best app for reducing food waste?
Too Good To Go is ideal for discounted surplus meals, while OLIO is great for sharing free food locally.
Final Thoughts
Reducing food waste isn’t about perfection — it’s about consistent, conscious choices. With a little planning, smarter storage, and a willingness to use what you have, you can dramatically lower your grocery bill while doing good for the planet.
Start small by tracking your food waste, experiment with one or two new habits, and build from there. In time, these simple practices can lead to meaningful financial savings and a more efficient, sustainable lifestyle.
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