Reduce Food Waste

Food waste accounts for approximately 35% of household garbage found in the Sechelt Landfill. Diverting food from the landfill will help extend the life of the landfill which at our current rate of disposal, is scheduled to close in 2026.

Reducing your food waste is something you can start with a few small changes:

  • Make the most of what you already have.
  • Store your food in ideal conditions.
  • Make it easy for everyone in your home.
  • Buy only what you are going to use.

There are some great resources at Love Food, Hate Waste which offer further practical advice on how to reduce food waste in your home.

See below for some quick tips and located here are the types of materials that are considered “regulated” cannot be mixed with your garbage.

There are easy steps to help reduce your food waste. Check out the categories below for some tips:

  • Post a list of perishable food items on your fridge. Use them up before buying more food.
  • Consider meal planning and only buy what’s on your shopping list.
  • Portion planning so you only make what will be eaten for the days planned.
  • Check out these 10 easy tips for more.

Check out this link for more information about:

  • Baking tips to use up and save
  • Use ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ recipes to use up what’s left in your fridge. Give wilted vegetables new life in quiches, soups and stir fries.
  • Use what you have before you go shopping
  • Use the ‘first in, first out’ principle. After you buy new groceries, move older food items to the front of the fridge so you can use them up first (label leftover containers with “eat me first” or dates to help your family).
  • Revive wilted food with ice water – great for bendy carrots!
  • Do you know the different between a best before date and expiry dates? A: Best before dates are about freshness! Check the link above for more guidance.
  • Pickling and canning are still tried and true ways to make produce last longer. Local resources like One Straw Society can help you learn more.

  • Organize your fridge to make food last longer. This fridge food organizing guide  can help you keep your food fresh for longer and help use your crisper drawers to their full potential.
  • Freeze food – For example, those berries you won’t get to use could be frozen then added to a smoothie.

Looking for tips about reducing garbage and recycling? Visit our Reduce Tips page for info and our Recycling Depots page for recycling.