Whether it's homemade or purchased food, people tend to waste and waste a lot of food. Disposing of food responsibly is important because when food rots, methane gas, a greenhouse gas that is harmful to the environment, is released. Try recycling and composting organic materials in leftovers, donating food that is still fit for consumption, and putting other food waste in the trash. In addition, you should also try to take steps to reduce food waste.
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Method 1 of 5: Recycling and Composting Food Leftovers
Step 1. Make compost at home
Composting organically decomposable food scraps at home is a great way to reduce the amount of food leftovers that goes into the trash. This step is good for the environment and will produce compost that is useful for gardening. Home compost will enrich the soil so that it is beneficial to your garden.
- Take advantage of leftovers such as fruit, vegetables, coffee grounds, egg shells, peanut shells, and tea bags.
- Do not dispose of meat, dairy products, or cooking oil this way.
- Place leftovers along with cardboard, old newspapers, plants, and other organic material in the bin. Mix soil and dirt to break up food residue.
- When adding new material to the barrel, use a rake or other tool to let fresh oxygen in and help with the composting process.
- If you don't have open ground, you can still compost at home with earthworms.
Step 2. Visit a nearby recycling center
If you don't have open space or are hesitant to compost at home, you can still dispose of leftovers responsibly through the local recycling bin. There are many recycling facilities that have facilities for managing food waste and making compost. Generally, you just need to take leftovers and give them to one of the staff there, or put them in a suitable container.
- Be sure to find out the food recycling rules of the place you specifically selected before leaving.
- You may also need to separate leftovers in some way before taking them there.
- Make sure what types of leftovers are accepted and not.
- For example, a recycling facility may not accept meat, but accept organic waste such as fruit and vegetables.
- The city government should also be able to provide information on the recycling bins around you.
Step 3. Take advantage of the local government's food waste management program
Depending on where you live, there may be a food waste management program run by your local government. In some areas, you may be able to find a special trash can for leftovers in addition to the regular trash can.
- If in doubt, contact your local government to find out what waste management programs are available.
- Try asking your neighbors to find out about programs like this and how to join.
- In a program like this, you may be given a bag to store compostable food waste.
Method 2 of 5: Donating Leftovers
Step 1. Sort the types of food that are suitable to donate
If you keep a lot of food in your cupboard and don't plan on finishing it, there are alternatives you can choose from just throwing it away. Donating food to local charities such as soup kitchens is a great way to keep your food from going to waste. If you want to do this, first determine what types of food are suitable for donating.
- Generally, preserved foods such as vegetables, soups, fish, and canned meats are suitable for donation.
- Snacks, biscuits and instant noodles will also usually be accepted.
- Avoid donating food packaged in glass containers. This kind of food may not be accepted because of the risk of breaking.
- Remember, you can also call a friend or family member and ask if there's a meal they'd like.
Step 2. Contact the nearest charity
Once you know what types of food are suitable for donating, look for charities in your area. Find out where soup kitchens are located near you and contact them to find out how to make a donation. You can find the location of the nearby soup kitchen using the internet.
- There are also apps that can help you donate leftovers in Indonesia.
- On an individual basis, you should work with local and national charities.
Step 3. Bring the food to the soup kitchen
Pack your food neatly and then take it to the local soup kitchen to be distributed to the staff and volunteers there. They will certainly be happy to receive you and your well-packaged donation. However, don't add any donations that don't deserve to be made. While in the soup kitchen, you can also find out more about the activities they do. Soup kitchens are often even looking for new volunteers to help manage and distribute donations.
- If you have some spare time, why not try joining them as a volunteer.
- There are usually various opportunities for volunteers in soup kitchens.
Step 4. Donate food from the restaurant
You can also donate excess food to a charity from a restaurant you manage. Contact a local charity and provide details on the food you would like to donate. Sometimes, they will send someone to pick up your donated food from the restaurant. The program also allows you to donate perishable and ready-to-eat food. Food like this will usually be frozen or sent directly to the local shelter.
For example in Surabaya, you can contact Garda Pangan and in Depok, you can contact Creata
Step 5. Donate food from the convenience store
You can also donate food from convenience stores or grocery stores. The process is similar to donating food from a restaurant or hotel. Contact local organizations and tell them what type of food you would like to donate. This institution will then take the food directly from your place.
- You can even join a charity partner if you often have excess food to donate.
- Joining as a partner will make it easier to take food regularly and provide you with other benefits.
Method 3 of 5: Throwing Out Food That Can't Be Used
Step 1. Separate the rotting food
You should immediately remove any food that has rotted or is about to go bad. Food like this should be separated from other waste and put in thick plastic and thrown away immediately. If possible, put meat and other foods that will quickly rot in the trash on the day they are picked up. Rotten food will attract insects and nuisance animals.
- Put meat and other raw foods in a plastic bag and tie it tightly before putting it in a garbage bag. That way, you can minimize odors and leaks.
- Make sure your trash can is tightly closed so no odors can escape and attract nuisance animals.
- Remove any leftover meat immediately to avoid problems with maggots.
Step 2. Burn relatively dry leftovers such as chicken skin
Do not burn wet food scraps as they may explode.
- Use an indoor fireplace or an outdoor stove to burn leftovers like this.
- You can also use a wood stove. Just put leftovers in the firewood area, not the stove area used for cooking.
- DO NOT use a gas stove to burn leftover food as it will create thick smoke in the room.
- Try to do this the next time you burn trash/other objects. So you don't need to spend a lot of fuel. For example, after a picnic, you can burn the trash with charcoal which is also used for cooking. Be sure to wet any remaining charcoal with water before leaving the site.
- Dispose of the remaining ash as usual, after the temperature has cooled.
Step 3. Drain into the sink or toilet drain
- Soft materials other than oil and grease can be cut into small pieces and dumped down the sink drain. Meanwhile, larger pieces can be flushed down the toilet drain.
- Use this method to remove soft food debris such as rotten tomatoes, and not hard food debris such as bones.
- This method is suitable for those of you who do not have a garbage shredder.
Step 4. Collect the oil and fat in the container
Get rid of the remaining cooking oil by storing it in a jar or other container that can also be disposed of. Do not put hot meat oil or fat down the sink drain. These oils and grease will clog the pipes and cost you a lot of money to repair. So, always throw oil and grease in the trash, not into waterways.
- Throw jars that have been filled with fat or oil in the trash. Do not recycle these jars.
- You can also use the remaining fat to make fat balls for bird food.
- Mix the fat with the remaining dry ingredients such as oat porridge and let it soak overnight in the refrigerator.
- Once it hardens, you can hang it on a tree or bird feeder.
Step 5. Use the trash shredder
If you have a trash can in your sink, use it to get rid of any food left on your plate. Put the leftovers into the sink drain then turn on the trash can while turning on the cold water tap. Observe the sound of the crusher during work. Turn off the appliance and close the water tap after the sound returns to its empty state.
- Remember, don't include anything that doesn't biodegrade.
- Do not insert glass, metal, plastic, or paper objects into this appliance.
- Do not pour oil or fat.
- Do not include foods that can expand such as rice or pasta.
Step 6. Do not put food waste into the septic line
Disposing of food waste into the septic canal should be avoided. If you have a septic canal, try not to throw food residue, coffee grounds, grease or oil into it. The more solid waste discharged into this drain, the more often you will have to pump it.
- If you have a trash can at home, try to limit its use as much as possible.
- The use of a waste crusher may affect the septic line warranty.
Step 7. Know the types of food that can be thrown away immediately
There are some foods that cannot be composted or recycled, such as dry pasta, rice, or other cereals. Dry foods such as pasta and rice are suitable for donating to soup kitchens, and can usually be used for a long time. So, food like this should not be thrown away.
- However, if you find pasta or rice that is too old, you can throw it in the trash.
- You may be tempted to give the musty buns to the birds in the garden. However, remember, this kind of bread nutrition is very low. In addition, moldy bread can also cause disease in birds.
- Dairy products also cannot be recycled or made into compost. So you can throw it in the trash.
Method 4 of 5: Storing Food Waste for Later Disposal
Step 1. Be careful not to dispose of food waste too early
Food waste may not always be disposed of immediately. For example, if the janitor at your residence comes once a week. Garbage left outside for several days can emit a foul odor, attract nuisance animals, and become a breeding ground for flies.
Step 2. Use a jar
Ideally, use a jar made of glass, such as a pickle or spaghetti sauce jar that can be tightly closed.
- You can also use plastic jars. It's just that, some of the smell of food waste may come out.
- Metal cans that can be tightly closed such as coffee cans are fine. However, these cans will leave rusty rings if left in the sink.
- Cardboard containers such as oatmeal cans are best avoided because they can't hold liquids from rotting food waste.
- Ideally, use a jar small enough for one use. Unless frozen, do not open the jar again as the smell will come out and attract flies or fruit flies to approach.
Step 3. Chop up the food waste until it is small enough to fit into the jar
Step 4. Dispose of food waste and jars when the cleaners arrive
You can also throw the contents of the jar in the trash and then use the container again after washing and rinsing. However, it's a good idea to pour the contents of the jar outside as it can be very messy.
Step 5. Alternatively, freeze food waste for later disposal
Freezing will slow down the decomposition of food and kill insects or their larvae. This method can be used while storing food waste in a jar. Meanwhile, for large food waste such as melon skins, you can put it in the freezer intact. It's just that, you might forget to take out this food waste on the day the cleaners come to pick up the trash. So, preparing a piece of reminder paper will be very helpful.
Method 5 of 5: Reducing Food Waste
Step 1. Store food effectively
Work on reducing your food waste in the long run. Food that is not stored properly will usually rot prematurely, or can only be consumed for a very short time. By taking the time to store food effectively, you can reduce food waste and save money.
- Freeze fresh foods that won't be cooking right away so they can be used for a few more days.
- Consider freezing leftovers such as soups, stews, and pasta.
- Make sure all your food storage containers are tightly closed and kept at the right temperature.
- For example, some foods must be stored in the freezer. Meanwhile, some other foods should be stored in a cool and dry place.
Step 2. Shop smart
A simple way to reduce food waste is to reduce the amount of food you buy. Pay attention to how much food is usually wasted, and work on adjusting your shopping list. A great way to do this is to create a menu for the week and only buy the ingredients you need to cook it.
- Be on the lookout for special offers and buy one get one free promos.
- If you can't keep extra food, ask yourself, will you end up throwing it away?
Step 3. Make the most of leftovers
Another great way to reduce food waste and make the most of the groceries you already buy is to maximize leftovers. You can turn leftovers into dishes or snacks, or use them to make broths and stews. Look for recipes that use leftovers you have. Try to make the most of all the dishes you have cooked. You can find recipes for leftovers on the internet.
- Preserve or can the remaining fruit and vegetables.
- Make sure to eat leftovers safely. Store these foods in an airtight container and then place them in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Use up leftovers within two days, and don't reheat more than once.
