Let’s start unwasting
Ignoring that sad veg in the fridge won’t make it any less sad. When figuring out what’s for dinner, use the older stuff first – the ones most likely to go to waste. Rotating your groceries by packing new items away behind the older ones is the secret to keeping everything fresh. At the right moment, everything in your fridge has plenty to give.
Tip 01
FIFO: First In, First Out
This is the oldest trick in the Great Unwasting book. Practice FIFO (First In, First Out) in your fridge and pantry. Identify those older items at risk of being wasted and build them into your meal plan. That way you’re using up the oldies and keeping everything else fresh for another day.
Tip 02
Head online for inspo
Basing your next meal on what’s at risk of being wasted couldn’t be easier. Search ‘ways to use up yoghurt’ wherever you ask the internet for answers and you’ll find some great inspo. There are also some great online tools to help – find out more here.
Tip 03
Love those labels
Labelling your food means you’ll avoid playing “What’s this?” whenever you open the fridge or freezer. Having a trusty texta and some masking tape or labels within reach of the fridge is one of the easiest ways to start unwasting. Learn a few more easy storage hacks to help your older items last a little longer.
Tip 04
Food to the front
No more hide and seek! Make what needs to be used first super obvious. Get in the habit of packing away your new groceries behind the older ones, so you’re always using up what you’ve got first. Try OzHarvest Use It Up ™ tape to mark out a ‘use it up’ shelf in your fridge so everyone at home knows what needs eating next. Keeping your food visible using clear containers can help too – learn more here.
Don't Worry
It’s midweek, plans have changed, and you realise something in the fridge might not reach the dinner table before it goes bad. If it’s freezable, put that freezer to work!
But before it goes into the depths of your freezer, make sure it’s labelled and think about how to use it in your future meal plans.
Learn easy freezer hacks to help you store food better, keep it fresher for longer, and save money.
Don’t let the good stuff go to waste!
Older items might look a little sad, but they’re still packed with goodness. Whether turning bread into croutons, blending fruit into smoothies, or using herbs to add some flavour to your meals, there’s a way to make every little leftover count.
Veggies
Turn those vibrant veggies into delicious new dishes! From hearty soups to yummy stir-fries, discover creative ways to use up those veggies.
Fruit
Don’t let any tired fruit go to waste! Whether blended into smoothies or baked into muffins, find out how to transform your fruit into tasty treats and snacks.
Fresh Herbs
Herbs add so much flavour but lots of people don’t get round to using the whole bunch. Learn how to use up flavour-packed herbs with inventive recipes and storage tips to keep them fresh longer.
Yoghurt
Yoghurt isn’t just for breakfast. Discover fun and delicious ways to incorporate that half tub of your favourite yoghurt into meals and snacks – from casseroles and creamy dressings to refreshing smoothies.
Cooked Meats
Put a new spin on those delicious leftovers from Sunday roast, extra chops from the BBQ or deli meats. Tacos, dumplings, stir-fries and pizza – the options are endless!
Bread
The humble loaf of bread is more versatile than you think. Find easy ways to turn your sliced bread, rolls or flatbreads into new creations to unwaste your dough.
Flexi Meals
Not sure what to do with that half-eaten roast, extra veggies, or yesterday’s rice? Don’t let them go to waste! Turn those odds and ends into something delicious with these inventive ideas.
Pizza Party
Who doesn’t love a pizza feast? From topping it with random veggies and roast meats, to experimenting with flatbreads as a base, it’s easy to craft a mouthwatering pizza using what you’ve got.
Fried Rice Frenzy
Got leftover rice and some veggies in the fridge? Make a quick and scrumptious fried rice! With just a few flavour bombs, you can turn those leftovers into a fried rice feast. Add in some roast meat pieces to pack it with protein.
Taco Tuesday – any day!
Tacos are your tasty ticket to using up leftovers. Fill them with leftover meats, salad leaves and your favourite sauce for a delicious twist. Get creative and turn your fridge finds into taco perfection.
Power of pasta
Pasta is one of the most versatile bases to unwaste what’s in your fridge and freezer. Get creative by using up meats, veggies, cheeses and sauces and make Nonna proud.
Toasties
Turn your leftovers into tasty toasties! There’s nothing you can’t try chucking in a toastie. Roast meats, cheeses, veggies, a handful of spinach – even last night’s spaghetti! Get creative with warm, gooey toasties using whatever’s in your fridge.
Noodle nation
A cheap packet of noodles is all you need to unwaste what’s in your fridge. Grab those sauces from the back of the cupboard, add in whatever veggies and meats you have in the fridge, and you have a budget-friendly bowl of goodness.
Dumpling dreams
For a couple of dollars, a packet of dumpling wrappers can make a whole meal using up tasty morsels from your fridge. From savoury meats to creamy cheeses – there are so many ways to fill dumplings with your fridge’s treasures. Fry them or steam them for at-home yum cha.
The humble pie
Create savoury or sweet pies with your leftover ingredients and just a little pastry to wrap it all up. Beyond just roast meat and gravy – try curry, casserole or stir fry to get creative filling your home baked pies.
Fantastic frittata
Frittatas are an excellent way to use up leftovers. Combine anything you fancy into a tasty frittata that’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. A flexible and easy meal option!
Super soup
A hearty soup is the ultimate way to turn odds and ends into a delicious bowl of comfort food. Try different combinations of cheeses, beans and veggies to make a new family favourite.
