But despite how much we spend on food, we also waste a lot of it. So much so that food waste makes up about 12% of the total waste generated in Singapore[@food-waste-management-national-environment-agency].
Because we buy food so regularly, even small savings on our weekly shopping can add up significantly over the long term.
Here’s a simple illustration of how weekly savings add up over a year.
| Weekly saving (SGD) | Annual saving (SGD) |
|---|---|
10 |
520 |
15 |
780 |
25 |
1,300 |
30 |
1,560 |
35 |
1,820 |
| Weekly saving (SGD) |
10 |
10 |
|---|---|---|
| Annual saving (SGD) |
520 |
520 |
| Weekly saving (SGD) |
15 |
15 |
| Annual saving (SGD) |
780 |
780 |
| Weekly saving (SGD) |
25 |
25 |
| Annual saving (SGD) |
1,300 |
1,300 |
| Weekly saving (SGD) |
30 |
30 |
| Annual saving (SGD) |
1,560 |
1,560 |
| Weekly saving (SGD) |
35 |
35 |
| Annual saving (SGD) |
1,820 |
1,820 |
Thinking about how you could use your savings is a great way to motivate yourself to be more mindful when you shop. You could pay off debts, or put it in a savings account, for example.
In 2021, Singapore generated a massive 817,000 tonnes of food waste.And while about 19% of that food waste was recycled, the National Environment Agency says that preventing food waste at the source is the most effective method[@food-waste-management-national-environment-agency].
Large amounts of energy, water and fuel go into producing, storing, transporting and disposing of food. This production and wastage emits greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming and climate change – which is why food waste is a problem.
The more food we waste, the more incineration plants and landfills we need to dispose of it.
So, not only can you save money by wasting less food, you can also help your local and global environments.
You might find you're left with food waste if you:
And here are 7 of the best ways to avoid food wastage.
Set a weekly food budget and stick to it to keep your food shopping in line with your needs.
To get an idea of a good budget for you, have a look at your latest food purchases and work out what you spend on average.
This is a good opportunity to review how to stop spending money on food – it might be more than you realise!
You could set yourself a challenge of cutting your budget by 10% or 15%. Stay on top of your HSBC account balance by switching to electronic statements. That way, you can view your statements free of charge on the HSBC Singapore Mobile Banking app or in online banking.
Make a list of your main meals for the week ahead, and the ingredients you'll need. If there’s something you think you won’t use 100% of, try choosing a meal later in the week that uses the same ingredient.
Check what you already have in the fridge and include those items in meals early on in the week if you can.
Instead of making 5 different lunches, consider cooking a big batch that could provide 3 or 4 lunches for the week. This is a great way to make the most of ingredients and save money.
Remember, recipes are great – but don’t be afraid to improvise and get creative to use up leftover ingredients. By chucking in some extra ingredients, you might just discover a signature twist on a classic dish for your next dinner party.
Need some inspiration? Check out One Planet Plate.
Donating your excess food is also a great way to reduce food waste.
As part of the National Environment Agency’s outreach efforts, you can donate safe and edible food items (unopened and unexpired) to various collection points and bank boxes, at places like shopping malls[@food-waste-management-strategies-national-environment-agency].Footnote link 2, Food Waste Management Strategies, National Environment Agency
Shopping less frequently can help you be more mindful about what food you buy.
It can be difficult to keep track of your food budget if you’re shopping at multiple small shops a week. And it’s easy to pick up extra items here and there that don’t fit into your meal plan.
If it’s practical, going to a bigger supermarket less often could be a more efficient way to shop. You might also find that they have more house brand products to choose from as cheaper alternatives.
Just remember to factor in the expiry date of perishable items when you do a big shop, and give yourself enough time to eat everything.
Shopping online can be a great way to manage your budget because you can keep an eye on the price of your basket as you add items.
Even if you’re not placing an order, you can compare the prices to check if your shopping list fits within your budget before you hit the supermarket.
Take advantage of offers for your credit card. You'd be surprised at just how much you can save on online shopping and dining – even food delivery, if you feel like splurging!
Double check the best way to store different items to help you save food for longer, and keep an eye on use-by dates.
Refrigerators operate best between 0°C and 4°C, and freezers at -18°C and below. So don’t leave the doors open!
If something’s going to go out of date, can you save it for later? It's safe to freeze[@national-environment-agency]:
Eggs, milk and most vegetables don’t freeze well, so try to use them up when they’re fresh.
Also, keep your chips and cereal packets sealed tight to prevent them going soft from the humidity.
Food waste, such as raw fruit and vegetable scraps, is great for composting, and you can use the compost for maintaining even the smallest of gardens.
The National Parks Board has some great tips and advice for DIY composting at home.
