No Waste Refrigerator Organization

If I had to pick one cause to fight for and support, it is food waste. It is so sad how much food goes to waste everyday from farm to table with the majority being at the household level. So I try to do my part and be as efficient as possible with my food management and this starts with an organized refrigerator!

impractical versus practical fridge organization

I am not talking about excessive organization that is really just for aesthetic purposes, but practical, doable, sustainable organization. There is no right way and every family has different needs based on ages and eating habits and family size, etc. But here are some useful tools/products I have found.

4 pack whiteboards from Amazon and how I use them (excuse my messy writing)

White Boards: For me, this has been the key to eliminate waste. You can do this in so many ways. I have this 4 pack and I use them as follows:

1. grocery list: things I need to get

2. what I have: what I actually have to eat like leftovers as well as what I can make with what I have (hummus +pita + carrots, grilled cheese and tomato soup, egg salad sandwiches, tzatziki and falafel)

3. need to use: items that need to be used asap, like vegetables, meats, cheeses and juice and don't forget jars, cans and shelf items

4. freezer: everything in my freezer (I open my freezer less so tend to forget what's in there)

   
   

Weekly Clean-out: My trash day is Wednesday, so I do a quick reorganization/clean-out that morning and update my whiteboards. It also helps me plan what I will make over the next couple days, as I plan around what I need to use up.

Labels: I am not a big label person unless it is actually useful and I do find it useful for dating leftovers and freezer items. I have this cheap labeler that uses an app on my phone and it's quick and easy to print: https://a.co/d/baviebF

Useful Products: Again these will not be useful to everyone, but you may see one or 2 things that will be helpful. The idea with actual refrigerator organization is to make everything visible.

lazy susan

fruit and vegetable storage for fridge

under the shelf fridge storage (check size before purchasing)

fridge organization bins set of 6 (so many options so check for sizes)

refrigerator side door organization bins

reusable stand up food storage bags

drink dispenser

herb keeper

Composting: I have been using a composter for many years and it such a great way to eliminate vegetable and fruit scraps from going to the land fill and of course gives you rich compost for gardening! It's a win win and really quite easy. This is my composter (https://a.co/d/cmKwMWP) and you can find all kinds of how to guides online. I use it for fruits and vegetable scraps, egg shells, tea bags, house plant trimmings and my fall leaves (which I keep to use throughout the year).

Neighborhood or Local Groups: I have a local facebook group where people will post food items they aren't using or things that will not last if they are going out of town, etc. There are also food banks that can take certain items.

Shopping: Of course, the first place to start eliminating waste is by only buying what you need! So try to stick to your shopping list and use up what you can before buying more. And do any repackaging right when you get home. For example putting half of a pack of chicken in the freezer or putting your greens in a lettuce spinner.

Another thing I like to do is take all the chicken off my rotisserie right away, if I'm not using it as is of course. I often use the white meat for chicken salad, so I will chop it up right away and remove the rest off the bones and bin it up for a soup or whatever I am making or even freeze it.

I hope you find some of these ideas useful! Check out my Pinterest Board for some other ideas. Leave any comments with other organizing ideas you find helpful.