Shop at these 5 places to reduce waste

1. Bulk stores — Wholefood stores provide all the food staples, without all the food packaging. Genius!

2. Produce box delivery services — There are so many organic fruit and vegetable boxes on the market. This option may not be the inexpensive but it definitely takes the pain out of food shopping.

3. Food co-operatives — Food co-ops have been around for years now. They help people access local produce using less packaging, for a low cost.

4. Food swaps — Look on community notice boards or online to find a local food swap. They allow you to trade food you have too much of, for something you’d like to try.

5. Farmers markets — Markets are perfect for seasonal and regional fresh produce.

7 ways to invest in reusables

1. Buy a Keep-cup — Most disposable coffee cups can’t be recycled because of their plastic lining so they end up in landfill. So, instead of ordering a takeaway coffee in a takeaway coffee cup, provide your local café with your re-useable coffee cup.

2. Use cloth bags — Did you know that currently only 3% of Australia’s plastic bags are being recycled? Large cloth bag can be used for shopping, instead of regular plastic shopping bags.

3. Beeswax options — Instead of using cling wrap to keep meals fresh, use beeswax wraps.

4. Hail to the lunch box — An age old symbol, the lunch box has been reinvented. A few environmentally friendly companies are now manufacturing BPA free, stainless steel lunch boxes. A perfect alternative to plastic lunch boxes and takeaway containers.

5. Old straws made new — Stainless steal or glass straws are a great alternative to the plastic straw. Ideal for slurping up smoothies in the morning for breakfast.

6. Water is key — Depending on the climate, human’s need between 2L and 3.5L of water a day to stay properly hydrated. Invest in a glass drink bottle, instead of using single use bottles or plastic bottles.

7. Seal in freshness — Ziploc bags are good to take on your next bulk store visit because they don’t weigh much. Then once you’ve finishing using them, simply rinse them out and use them again.

4 tips for storing food correctly to avoid premature spoilage

1. Salad greens and herbs should be washed, dried and stored in a container wrapped in a moist cloth in the fridge.

2. Asparagus, cucumber, capsicum and broccoli should be kept in containers to avoid drying out.

3. Tomatoes stored unwashed at room temperature.

4. Potatoes, pumpkin, onion and garlic should be stored separately in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area.