Tips to Reduce Food Waste

Why Food Waste Matters

Globally, about one-third of all food produced is wasted—roughly 1.3 billion tonnes. Households account for 44% of this, restaurants 33%, and the rest by food services and retailers. In Romania alone:

• Each person throws away about 130 kg of edible food per year.
• 24% of the waste is cooked food, 22% fruits, 21% vegetables, 20% bakery products, 11% dairy, 1% meat, 1% other.
• This excludes coffee grounds, pits, and bones.

At just 1 lei per 200 g, you’re tossing the equivalent of 650 lei in food annually—money you could spend on treats or quality kitchen tools instead!

Three Essential Steps to Cut Waste

1. Smart Shopping

• Check your pantry & fridge first: Only buy what you truly need.
• Plan your meals: Know what you’ll cook over the next few days.
• Eat before you shop: A full stomach curbs impulse buys.
• Avoid “too good to miss” deals: Don’t buy extras you won’t use—freeze any surplus immediately.

2. Cook Only What You’ll Eat

• Adjust recipe portions to match the number of diners.
• If you finish your meal, whip up a quick snack or two eggs rather than overcooking next time.
• Keep “leftover recipes” handy: turn yesterday’s roast veggies into frittata or pasta sauce.
• Freeze extras—most foods keep their flavor for months when properly stored.

Tip: Track what you discard each week. Then adapt your shopping to avoid repeating the same waste.

3. Store Food Properly

• Organize your fridge:
  • Top shelf: dairy and butter.
  • Middle: cooked dishes (covered).
  • Bottom: raw meat on a dedicated tray.
  • Drawers: fruits & vegetables in the humidity‐controlled crisps.
  • Door: condiments & drinks.
• Wrap leafy greens in paper towels to absorb moisture.
• Store tomatoes, onions, potatoes, bananas at room temperature until ripe.
• Use airtight containers for cooked dishes; vacuum‐seal or freeze perishables.

Extend Freshness by 5× with Vacuum Sealing

Zwilling’s Fresh & Save system preserves food up to 5 times longer:

• Rechargeable vacuum pump auto-stops at optimal pressure.
• Borosilicate glass containers oven-safe and vacuum-seal compatible.
• BPA-free plastic boxes with double seals, microwave & dishwasher safe.
• Reusable vacuum bags for freezing, sous-vide cooking, and marinating.
• Wine stoppers that lock in freshness for days.

Conclusion

By shopping smarter, cooking right‐sized portions, and storing food properly—or using the Fresh & Save vacuum system—you can drastically cut your household’s food waste, save money, and help the planet.