The Food Waste Crisis in Australia: How Sustainable Solutions Can Help Keep Food Fresher for Longer
Food waste is a growing problem in Australia. Every year, Australians throw away around 7.6 million tonnes of food, costing the economy approximately $36.6 billion. This waste isn’t just a missed opportunity to feed people in need; it also contributes significantly to climate change through the production of methane in landfills.
The good news? Reducing food waste at home is easier than you might think, especially when you have access to the right tools. At Healthy Focus, we provide a range of eco-friendly solutions to help you keep your food fresh for longer and reduce your environmental impact.
Why Does Food Go to Waste?
Most of the food waste in Australia comes from households, and it’s often due to factors like poor storage, confusion over expiry dates, and lack of meal planning. Common items that end up in the bin include:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Bread and bakery products
- Leftovers and cooked meals
By adopting better storage practices and using sustainable products, you can extend the shelf life of your food and cut down on waste.
Eco-Friendly Products to Keep Food Fresher
Here are some of the best products from Healthy Focus that can help you reduce food waste:
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Beeswax Food Wraps
Replace single-use plastic wrap with reusable beeswax wraps. These wraps create a breathable seal around fresh produce, sandwiches, and leftovers, keeping them fresh for days longer.
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Reusable Food Covers
Stretchy and versatile, silicone food covers fit snugly over bowls, containers, and even half-cut fruits or vegetables, locking in freshness and preventing spoilage.
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Food Storage Bags
Specialised food & produce bags help regulate moisture and airflow, which help keep food fresher for longer. Fruit, vegetable, bread and other food items can be kept fresher by storing them correctly.
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Reusable Bag Sealer Sticks
These strong, durable and versatile bag sealers make it easy to seal all types of packet foods. They create an air and water tight seal keeping food fresher for longer. Use them in the fridge, freezer, pantry, or on-the-go to reduce waste and save money.They are ideal for resealing open packets of chips, frozen veggies, nuts, biscuits, pasta, cereals, coffee and more.
Save money and reduce waste with our Reusable Bag Sealers -
Compost Bins and Accessories
Even with the best intentions, some food scraps are unavoidable. Turn kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost for your garden with our composting solutions.
Discover Composting Solutions
The Environmental Impact of Food Waste
When food is wasted, it’s not just the food itself that’s lost—so are all the resources used to produce it, including water, energy, and land. According to the CSIRO, food waste is responsible for 3% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.
By keeping food fresh for longer, we can significantly reduce the amount of food that ends up in landfills and do our part to combat climate change. For more information on how food waste impacts the environment, visit CSIRO’s research on food waste.
Practical Tips to Reduce Food Waste at Home
Reducing food waste doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some easy ways to get started:
- Plan Your Meals: Create a weekly meal plan and buy only what you need.
- Check Your Fridge First: Use up what’s in your fridge before buying more groceries.
- Store Food Properly: Use airtight containers, beeswax wraps, food bags and wraps or silicone covers to keep food fresh longer.
- Compost Food Scraps: Turn unavoidable food scraps into compost to enrich your garden.
Looking for more ideas? Visit Love Food Hate Waste Australia for additional tips and resources.
A Collective Effort for a More Sustainable Future
Reducing food waste is a shared responsibility, but small changes at home can lead to big results. At Healthy Focus, we believe in empowering households to make sustainable choices that are good for the planet and your budget. By investing in the right products and developing new habits, you’ll not only reduce waste but also help protect the environment for future generations.
Ready to start your journey toward a more sustainable lifestyle? Check out our full range of eco-friendly products at Healthy Focus.