Waste list

angelatgraceland

I think there are some special energysaving plugs you can buy but I wouldn't risk turning it off in case you forgot to put it back on. Depends if you are opening the freezer often and letting in warm air I suspect. Also depends on age of freezer and how energyefficient it is.

Wastage today was just 5p. One portion of carrots.

the_optimist

Plum_Pie wrote: »

(She recommended turning stale slices to crumbs and freezing them.)

Oh No, I should have done that! I threw some slices out today [wrist slapped], will turn them into crumbs next time...
Apart form the bread we don't throw much out nowadays (thanks to this site) but I will keep track too just to see if I'm right.

exlibris

I found that homemade bread was going off as I forgot to halve it and freeze half. (We don't eat much at the moment) I now make rolls and freeze them. The defrost quickly in the micro when needed. I have a big bag of breadcrumbs in the freezer which I don't use much. Note to self. check site for breadcrumb usage. No more wasted bread now though!

Solomon_Broad

Mr_Proctalgia wrote: »

I need to work on the freezers next - Does anyone know if a freezer will last all day turned off and be on all night to recover???

I can't answer your question, but I can show you this page - http://mtbest.net/chest_fridge.html

Daisies

Fab ideas, thanks everyone! My neighbours are mystified about why I only need to put my wheelie bin out once every 2 months!!

I've found that having a couple of cloth bags to take shopping has made a massive difference - and not buying fuit and veg at the supermarket as it's SO over-packaged.

Planning meals has also dramatically cut down on wastage for me too.

Hardup_Hester

I turn any stale bread into crumbs, I chuck it in the foodprocessor along with any oddments of cheese, this makes a nice topping for shepherds pie or fish pie when browned under the grill.
I did consider having a water meter fitted, but am now glad I didn't as my lodger turns all the taps on in the bathroom when she gets up at 6:30 & seems to leave them running for an hour or more.
Hester

celyn90

The list is a great idea! I often make bread pudding out of old bread as it keeps forever (and saves me having to make other cake too, so i save two ways!). We don't have a freezer at the moment, I find most stuff keeps fairly well but we could be better I'm sure.

My goldfish tend to be the recipents of the ends of cucumbers, for some reason they really like cucumber and it stops them shredding the aquarium plants.

I remember when I first went to uni and coming from a large family really wasn't aware of things spoiling; bread and cake didn't get cold, let alone stale. I remember making going to make omelette with eggs that were beyond nasty...and it still makes me shudder! Learnt alot since then though!

jollymummy

great idea !

tra_2

If I find any bread in the bread bin that has gone stale, I pop it in the freezer even if it is only one slice. After a while, I have enough to make a bread pudding.

Judi101

Dont forget to compost any fruit or veg that has gone off before being used. We did try to switch to butter so we didnt keep getting the margarine tubs that go into landfill but its so hard its awful to use on bread and we have gone back to those 'lovelly' tubs. Also when buying fruit and veg at the supermarket dont put it in those little poly bags, and stop the cashier from doing that too. Except for mushrooms, you can compost those paper bags.