Tips for a zero-waste kitchen

Julie Vanazzi | 3/9/22

On average, the French throw away between 20 and 30 kg of food waste per inhabitant per year. So, while zero waste is still a long way off, here are a few simple tips to help you produce less waste.

Buying in bulk

Packaging accounts for 30% of French household waste. Buying in bulk and then storing your food in glass jars will help you reduce your packaging consumption. Starches, pulses, condiments, nuts, eggs... the choice is vast. And if you're looking to buy in bulk, there are now numerous specialist stores all over France. More and more supermarkets are also starting to offer a dedicated space.

Managing your food resources

A large proportion of food waste is due to poor refrigerator management. To avoid this, plan your weekly meals and make a precise shopping list so you don't buy more than you need. And be sure to check expiration dates before buying fresh produce. Finally, when dining out, don't hesitate to ask for your doggy bag. Since July 1, 2021, restaurant owners have been obliged to offer recyclable and reusable containers for taking away food.

Favoring reusable objects

Always carry a few cloth bags with you when you go shopping, and generally prefer reusable objects to single-use ones (plastic plates, cups, paper towels, plastic bottles, etc.). Today, there are many sustainable alternatives for both cooking and cosmetics.

Cook more

Ready-cooked meals, though practical, are often covered in packaging and are unhealthy. That's why, if you want to reduce your waste and eat more healthily, it's better to cook raw foods rather than buy processed ones.

Composting

Contrary to what you might think, it's possible to make compost even without a garden, thanks to the compost drawer. Simply line one of the bins in the garbage can drawer with a sturdy, waterproof tarpaulin. You can reduce your waste by up to 20%. And if you have plants, you'll have an excellent fertilizer in just a few weeks.

Reduce your plastic bottles

Every year, 310,000 tonnes of plastic bottles are produced in France. This represents an average consumption of 96 bottles per French person. The easiest way to reduce plastic waste, and water bottles in particular, is to drink tap water. As water quality is strictly controlled in France, the health risks are virtually nil.

On the same subject :

Zero waste room by room, by Claire Lagrange. Discover how to easily implement new zero-waste habits and adopt a more eco-responsible lifestyle thanks to numerous tips and over 30 DIYs. 112 pages, 17€, Éditions Mango.