Simple ways to reduce waste at home

Household waste is a global problem. Even when you live frugally, there’s always waste at home. Sorting recyclables and organising the fridge are two ways to help reduce waste – as well as making your home a little tidier you may save money too.

Reduce waste at home

When it comes food waste, seeing is knowing. Keeping food in clear containers can help you keep an eye on how much you have and lead to less food waste at home.

Tips for reducing food waste​

Plan your shop and cook your plan ​
Planning your meals or snacks for the week can not only save time but can save on food waste too. ​Remember, before you shop, check the ingredients you already have or plan your meals to use what’s in your pantry, fridge or freezer.​

Save some for later​​
Leftovers can make great lunches – so, get smart about storing them. A leak-proof lunch box can give you a cheap and tasty lunch on the go the next day.​​

Clip it up and pop it in the freezer​
A simple sealing clip can help to reduce the amount of wasted food in your everyday life. Many foods come in larger packages than we need. So, when you don’t need to use it all at one time, seal it up to help keep it fresh or freeze it for later. ​

Make food go further​​
Have too much fruit and veg? Why not preserve them? Try making jams, pickles and chutneys and store them in glass jars or freeze them for smoothies. Also, vegetable peels are perfect for broths, soups and stews.

What we're doing! Reducing food waste in our stores

Reducing food waste is a priority at IKEA. Since 2016, we have cut production food waste (grams per cover) at IKEA stores by 60.5%, saving around 37.8 million portions of food.

Tips for sorting waste​

Get your waste sorting sorted​​

Sorting is easier if each type of recyclable material has a dedicated container – either freestanding or built into a larger solution. Less waste to landfill, and a tidier home too.

Recycle in every room​

Setting up a recycling solution in every room makes sense. The closer a bin is to where you are, the more likely you are to use it. Involve the whole family while you’re at it!​

Recycle in the bathroom​

For many, the bathroom is a difficult place to keep on top of. Gather up empty shower bottles, toilet paper rolls and toothpaste tubes, as soon as you finish them. More recycling means a tidier bathroom.​

Don’t throw it all away​

Waste isn’t always waste. Try growing seeds in old egg boxes or using newspaper as gift-wrap, for instance. Think outside the box, how else could it be used?​

Enjoy your favourite drink with your favourite mug – wherever you are​

A travel mug can be used as an infusion bottle with fruits, to make herbal beverages, cold-brewed coffee, or to brew your favourite tea on the go. Wash after use and it’s ready for the next time.

Store, wash and reuse​

Preparing a meal in advance, or need to put away leftovers in the fridge? By storing food in a container, or using a washable and reusable food cover, you can avoid using single-use plastic wrap or foil.​

Refill and reuse​

Instead of buying a new bottle of water every time you get thirsty, try carrying a reusable water bottle and refilling it through your day. A great way to reduce single-use waste and make the most of what you have.​

Quick and easy tips for more sustainable living

More and more people are interested in reducing the impact they have on the planet, but many don’t really know how to do it. Sustainable living is all about making small everyday changes to everyday life. Because that's the beauty of small things – together they add up.

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