Have you got a happy kitchen?

Do you have a happy fridge? How about a happy bin? Discover our top tips for reducing food waste and a happy kitchen.

Reducing the amount of food wasted, and making sure that any unavoidable food waste gets recycled, can have a huge positive impact on Bristol and the environment.

Nearly 25% of the contents of an average black wheelie bin in Bristol is made up of food waste, three-quarters of which is avoidable with proper planning, preparation, and storage.

If food waste can’t be avoided it should be put in the brown recycling box. Food waste collected in the brown caddy is a useful resource that is turned into compost and energy, helping to power thousands of homes in Bristol.

Cut down on food waste in Bristol by following our happy kitchen tips

🥗 Happy fridge

  • Don’t over-fill your fridge. Leave space for cold air to circulate, keeping food fresher for longer.
  • Keep your fridge temperature between 0-5°C so food stays fresher for longer.
  • Leave left-over hot food to cool down before putting it in the fridge. Hot food can raise the fridge temperature and spoil other food.
  • Organise your fridge with older items at the front so they get used up first and are less likely to be forgotten about at the back.
  • Don’t over-prep! Chopped up meat and veg spoil slightly faster. Avoid food waste by preparing meals no more than a week in advance.
  • The fridge door shelves are the warmest part of the fridge. Store less perishable items here such as condiments and preserves rather than things that will spoil sooner such as milk and butter.

❄️ Happy freezer

  • Use up excess fresh food by batch cooking meals and freezing leftovers into single portions.
  • Keep your freezer at -18 °C or below to help frozen food last longer.
  • Turn stale bread into breadcrumbs with a cheese grater. Use the crumbs straight away or freeze them for later.
  • Chop up excess veg such as squash and courgettes into chunks and store them to use later.

🥫 Happy cupboard

  • Organise tins and dry goods by use-by-date so you know which ones to use first.
  • Make the most out of your vegetables by using the whole thing, peelings and all. Carrots and potato skins are perfectly edible (and tasty)!
  • Save plastic takeaway boxes to store loose grains and cereals or single portions of leftovers.
  • It can be cheaper, and reduce packaging, to buy some grains, spices and seasonings (such as salt and pepper) in bulk.

🌱 Happy growing

  • Some salad leaves and vegetables can be regrown from scraps: lettuce, celery, carrots, potatoes and more!
  • Plant garlic bulbs that have started to sprout in autumn or spring for a crop of home-grown garlic.
  • Soak onion skins in water to create a potassium-rich feed for indoor and outdoor plants.
  • If you have a garden or allotment you can compost raw vegetable scraps and coffee grounds to create nutritious fertiliser for your plants. Don’t compost meat or cooked foods – these should go in your brown food caddy.

🗑 Happy bin

  • Use empty bread, cereal or carrier bags in your food waste caddy to collect food waste and keep the caddy clean.
  • Always rinse tins and other food containers before putting them in the recycling.
  • Over 40% of the average household bin is dry recycling and food waste – give yourself more space in the bin by recycling everything possible.

Keen to learn more about recycling in Bristol?

Find all the information and downloadable guides you need to level-up your recycling skills.