Winnipeg, MB – There’s no time like the present to cut down on wasteful kitchen habits.
Today marks the start of Food Waste Action Week, which runs through March 13. We’re encouraging Winnipeggers to try one simple habit that helps reduce food waste at home – reducing food waste.
Most people throw out more food than we realize. When food ends up in the garbage, it costs money and creates greenhouse gases in the landfill. These gases harm our climate. Reducing food waste is an easy way to support Winnipeg’s climate action goals and keep more waste out of the landfill.
Easy ways to waste less food
Because most food waste happens at home, small daily habits can make a big difference. Using all the food you buy also helps you save money because less of your grocery budget ends up in the garbage.
Here are some tips:
- Plan meals
- Check the fridge before shopping
- Use up food that’s close to spoiling
- Store food properly to help it last longer
- Keep your fridge at 4°C or lower
- Use the right produce drawers
- Freeze items like bread, meat, and vegetables can prevent food from going bad too soon
- Using food creatively is another way to cut waste.
- You can revive wilted vegetables in ice water
- Fruits or vegetables past their prime work well in smoothies, baking, or cooked dishes
It’s also important to remember best before date is not the same as an expiration date. Unopened food stored properly may still be good after the date on the package.
Food waste drop off stations
Residents who want to keep even more food waste out of the landfill can bring it to a food waste drop off station.
Our drop-off stations have diverted 529.68 metric tonnes of food waste from the landfill since October 2024.
These depots accept items such as fruit and vegetable scraps, bread, grains, pasta, coffee grounds, eggshells, and yard waste.
We turn ll collected material into compost instead of sending it to the landfill.
Locations, hours, and a full list of accepted items are available at winnipeg.ca/foodwaste