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Food waste

Prevent food waste when storing food at home

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Discover our tips on fighting food waste at home. Learn how to store commonly wasted food items so they last longer and reduce food waste to landfill.

Prevention is one of the best ways to stop good food going to waste. Small changes, and a just a little extra time on your part, can extend the life your groceries.

Learn how you can effectively store commonly wasted food items. Save money and reduce waste by cutting down what ends up in the bin each week.

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Food storage tips

  • Keep it visible - Store food so you can see it, in clear or glass containers with labels facing forward.
  • Eat-me-first shelf - Make the top shelf in your fridge the eat-me-first shelf. Look for food items here first.
  • Freeze for later - Freeze items you won't eat in the next few days. Add to a future menu plan.

How to store commonly wasted food

Berries

Berries last longer in glass than in the plastic punnet they come in. Once home, place strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries in an empty glass jar and store them in the fridge.

Wash berries just before eating as moisture in the jar can shorten the lifespan of the fruit.

Avocado

Once cut, keep avocados in an airtight container in the fridge.

Add a piece of cut onion to slow browning process  and keep the avocado fresher for longer. Don’t worry—the onion’s flavour won’t transfer to the avocado. This is one of the best ways to extend its life.

Salad greens

Salad is a common food waste item in Brisbane. To keep greens fresh, store them in a container with a paper towel or cloth napkin. Moisture spoils small green leaves quickly. Remove them from plastic bags and store in an airy reusable container.

A paper towel or cloth napkin prevents liquid build-up, helping spinach, rocket, salad leaves, and sprouts last longer.

Soft wet cheeses

Store opened brine or liquid-soaked cheeses in a glass or clear container to keep them fresh. Examples include feta, haloumi, burrata, bocconcini, and fresh mozzarella.

Mark a use-by date on the lid. This allows easy visibility of the contents in the fridge to remind you it's there.

Once the liquid gets too cloudy, ensure you use it up or consider changing the liquid. Beware – this may only extend the life of the cheese for a short time.

More food storage tips

Visit our food waste page to learn more about storage and make the most of your pantry, fridge, and freezer.