Reuse Food Waste

Every day in the UK, we waste 1.1 million bananas, which is absolutely bananas if you ask me! In 2025, leftovers and ready-made meals ranked the second most wasted food out of the top 10 most wasted foods and drink (WRAP, 2025). 

Save money, save resources and eat well for less! 

Reusing Food Waste at home is as simple as using your leftovers! Here are some easy ways to help you to do this.  

How to Reuse Food Waste at Home

  • The freezer is your friend! You can freeze leftover food in single portions, using plastic takeaway tubs or plastic bread bags (label them well though!), as long as you defrost and heat it thoroughly before eating it. 
  • Make it a challenge night – open the fridge and see what’s leftover – can you find a recipe that uses all or some of the leftovers? 
  • Turn it into desserts – Overripe bananas? Or bread going hard? Classics like banana bread and bread pudding are really useful staple recipes for the budget conscious cook. 
  • Gift Giving – Why not try making your own chutneys and jams if you have lots of fruit or veg. You can even give these as gifts! 

How to Reuse Food Waste at School

  • School dinners and packed lunches are the main source of food waste in schools, though secondary schools often have cookery lessons that create food waste too.
  • The first step is to Audit Food Waste. Set up a team to help see how much is being thrown away. (We have a step-by-step waste audit instructions that can help!) This is a great topic for an Eco Committee, and will help schools reach Green Flag status too!
  • Check food waste collections – is stuff getting thrown away that could be used again?
  • Trial a Food Waste shelf, where unwanted food can be given away to staff and pupils at the end of the day.

More resources

Community Fridges

Leftovers

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