I was recently emailed an article that illustrates the obscene amount of perfectly edible food families collectively toss out each day. You probably already knew that humans on a whole are a pretty wasteful species, but it’s still shocking to see just how much we really throw away.

source

While the study itself focuses on food waste in the United Kingdom, it is still a good indicator of wastefulness in general. The study uses the massive quantity of apples that are thrown out in the U.K. each day – approximately four and half million – as a key example. Just imagine how many are tossed out in the U.S. on a daily basis?

It’s important to be a responsible consumer. Not just in terms of the quality and quantity of food that you put into your body, but also how much you take home with the intention of using. It’s irresponsible to take more than you’re able to use. Especially when it comes to good food that could feed someone who really needs it. Of course, most of us would never do this intentionally, but that’s not an excuse.

The estimated value of uneaten foods that are thrown out in the U.K. alone totals around 4.5 billion U.S dollars every year. This is not just a waste of good food — it’s also waste of good money. Especially with the current economic conditions, this creates financial stress on individual families, and ultimately on the whole global economy. Growing, processing and shipping all that wasted food also puts an unnecessary strain on the environment.

According to the article, of the nearly 7 tons of food wasted in the U.K. each day, about 40 percent is produce. The study suggests healthy eating campaigns that encourage people to consume more fruits and vegetables as a possible cause for the waste. Suggesting healthier food choices is of course a good thing. Unfortunately, many people it seems have eyes bigger than their stomachs, and simply never eat all that they buy.

How Can I Avoid Wasting Food?

There are lots of ways to avoid wasting good food. First, take a good look at your shopping habits. Are you buying more than you really need? If so, scale back on the amount you purchase. Buying fewer groceries more often is also a great way to avoid spoilage. Cook meals ahead of time, and then freeze them for later. Many foods can last up to a year when properly frozen.

If worst comes to worst, and you still find yourself with extra food that you know is going to spoil before you can eat it, invite some friends over to help you finish it. And if that doesn’t work, then find a food bank, or similar organization that can make use of it. Start a garden in your backyard, and grow your own organic fruits and veggies. If you compost the spoiled fruit and vegetables, you can then use it on your garden which will help you produce more of your own food.

Remember, there’s always a better option than the trash can.

More Green Living Articles:

• 10 Homemade Organic Pesticides
• 6 Tips for “Going Green” Outside Your House
• Aquaponics: How to Grow Your Own Food in Water
• 10 Reasons to Buy Produce at Your Local Farmer’s Market