How to Reduce Food Waste, One Fresh Bite at a Time With StayFresh at Lakeland

Contents

• What is food waste?
• The real cost of food waste in the UK
• 10 easy ways to reduce food waste at home
• How to reduce food waste with smarter storage
• Food storage tips to keep your food fresher, longer

There’s nothing more disappointing (or unappetising) than reaching into the fridge and discovering wilted carrots, limp salad leaves, or a bowl of berries that have gone mushy before you’ve even had a chance to enjoy them. Sadly, it’s a familiar scene in kitchens up and down the country.

With food prices rising and the planet under pressure, wasting good food because it spoiled too soon feels needless. 

The good news? A little know-how goes a long way. And that’s where we come in.

With over 60 years of trusted expertise, Lakeland has led the way in food storage innovation since 1964. Now, we’re on a mission to tackle food waste with pioneering solutions — not just another cling film or foil alternative.

This blog explores how to reduce food waste: what’s causing it, why it matters, and (most importantly) how you — and we — can be part of the solution. It’s time to rethink the way we store food to reduce food waste. It’s time to pay attention to the shocking food waste statistics. It’s time to join the Freshness Revolution.

What is food waste?

Food waste is anything we throw away that was once good enough to eat. It often happens when food goes off too quickly, we overbuy, cook too much, or simply forget what’s in the fridge. And while it might seem small day to day, it all adds up.

The real cost of food waste in the UK

Each year, UK households waste a whopping 6 million tonnes of food at home. And, of that, 4.4 million tonnes (nearly three-quarters) is food we could have eaten.

To put it into perspective, that’s enough edible food to fill:

• 8 Wembley Stadiums
• 3,500 Olympic swimming pools
• Or 36 million wheelie bins

In everyday terms, the average person in the UK wastes the equivalent of three meals’ worth of food per week. Multiply that across the country, and it’s easy to see how the impact adds up — both for our wallets and the planet.

In fact, that edible food waste carries a hefty £17 billion price tag, which breaks down to around £1,000 a year for a family of four. When you think about it, it’s like doing a weekly food shop and throwing a bag of it straight in the bin before you even unpack it.

The environmental cost is just as sobering. The carbon footprint from all this wasted food is equivalent to the emissions from 1 in every 5 cars on UK roads. All that waste, without a single journey taken or meal enjoyed.

It’s often the fresh food we rely on every day that ends up in the bin — with fresh veggies and salad right at the top of the list. Research from Wrap UK, which looks at how much edible food is wasted by weight across different groups, highlights the main culprits:

• Fresh vegetables and salad — 28%
• Meals — 12%
• Bakery items — 11%
• Dairy and eggs — 9%
• Fresh fruit — 8%
• Drinks — 7%
• Meat and fish — 6%

Every single day in UK homes, we throw away:

• 2.7 million whole potatoes
• 2 million whole carrots
• 1.3 million whole tomatoes
• And 860,000 whole apples

Most of this waste comes from poor storage, overbuying, and not eating food in time. However, this is a problem we can address, starting with smart storage solutions.

*Statistics according to Wrap UK.

10 easy ways to reduce food waste at home

Cutting down on food waste doesn’t have to mean completely overhauling your lifestyle. It starts with a few smart habits, some simple swaps, and a little extra care for the food you already have.

Here are ten easy, practical tips to help you reduce food waste at home, starting today:

1. Keep your fridge cool, not icy — Set it between 0°C and 5°C to help your food stay safe and last longer. If it’s too cold and icy, your food can freeze, which can affect texture and flavour.
2. Give bananas their own space — They release ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening in other fruits. Our StayFresh Sheets help absorb this gas, slowing down the process.
3. Don’t pack your fridge like a suitcase — A crowded fridge means hot spots, and faster spoilage. Air needs to circulate to keep everything evenly chilled.
4. Stop soggy salad in its tracks — Line your drawers with paper towels, or better still, try our Fruit and Vegetable Cushion. This porous cushion allows air to circulate beneath your produce, helping keep moisture at bay for a longer-lasting crunch.
5. Wrap wisely — Our Ovtene sheets keep cheese, meats, and even cookies fresher for longer.
6. Store mushrooms dry — The fridge makes them damp, whereas a paper bag in a cool cupboard keeps them fresh without the slime.
7. Hang your onions (yes, really) — Store them in tights or mesh bags with knots between each one to allow airflow and reduce sprouting.
8. Use your senses, not just the dates — A best-before is just a suggestion. Always sniff and check before you bin (but with use-by dates, always err on the safe side.)
9. Let cheese breathe — Wrap it in parchment or wax paper instead of cling film to avoid a sweaty, sad wedge of brie.
10. Trim off veg tops — Remove leafy ends from carrots, beets, and other root veg, as they suck out moisture and nutrients, causing your veg to wilt faster.

How to reduce food waste with smarter storage

Say goodbye to soggy salad and squishy berries for good. Unlike supermarket packaging, which takes a one-size-fits-all approach, our products are carefully designed to meet the unique needs of your food, whether that means controlling moisture, absorbing ethylene gas, or creating an airtight seal.

Here are the best food storage containers and other solutions for every freshness-conscious kitchen:

StayFresh Sheets with RYPEN Technology

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Best for: Bananas, avocados, berries, salad leaves, and more. Use them in fruit bowls,

fridges, salad drawers, and berry punnets.

• Extends the life of fruit and veg by up to 50%
• Each sheet lasts up to 90 days
• Can be reused across multiple punnets or containers

These clever sheets work by trapping excess ethylene gas (the invisible, naturally occurring gas that makes your fruit ripen too quickly). 

Developed with a leading packaging supplier in the food industry, they bring powerful preservation science straight into your home. 

Simply pop a sheet in your fruit bowl, fridge, or storage container and enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables whenever you want, not when the clock is ticking or the best-before date is approaching.

StayFresh Absorbent Fruit Pads (Pack of 2)

Best for: Berries, cut fruit, and delicate produce.

• Doubles the time your berries stay fresh
• Moisture-activated anti-microbial layer reduces mould
• Cut-to-fit any container or punnet

Designed to absorb excess moisture and prevent the rapid buildup of bacteria, these pads help keep delicate fruits fresh and crisp for longer. Whether your berries are home-grown, hedge-picked, or supermarket-bought, you’ll be able to enjoy every last one. No rush, no waste.

Ovtene Cheese, Charcuterie Storage Sheets and Bags (Pack of 20)

Best for: Cheeses, cured meats, cookies, crackers, and baked goods.

• Preserves taste, texture, and aroma
• Naturally reduces bacteria growth
• 100% recyclable, reusable, and made without trees or water

Ovtene is a game-changer for cheeseboards and pantry items. Made from food-safe bio-materials like Carrara marble, it’s an eco-conscious choice for preserving both flavour and freshness.

Bonus tip: Our Buyer Kathryn swears by them for keeping cookies, crackers and crisps crunchy!

Lakeland Vacuum Sealer System Storage Containers

Best for: Batch cooking, leftovers, dried goods, meats, and prepped meals.

• Locks in flavour and prevents spoilage
• Store in fridge, freezer, cupboards, or shelves
• Works with StayFresh Vacuum Bags for space-saving, spill-free storage

The vacuum sealer system sucks the air out and seals your food into an airtight, leakproof container, making it ideal for meal preppers and lovers of leftovers. The containers are dishwasher, microwave, and freezer-safe, so they’re practical from prep to plate.

StayFresh Vacuum Food Storage Bags (Pack of 25)

Best for: Large portions, soups, sauces, smoothie packs, and coffee.

• Airtight, waterproof, and leakproof
• Big 2.5L capacity ideal for freezing or portioning
• Saves space vs bulky containers

Whether you’re sealing up leftovers or freezing a week’s worth of smoothies, these vacuum-seal bags make it easy to store and preserve food. They work with our Handheld Vacuum Sealer, and their compact shape means they take up less room in your freezer or fridge without compromising on freshness.

These are just a few of our favourites to help you save food waste, but we’ve plenty more to share. Discover our full range of food preservers and savers.

Food storage tips to keep your food fresher, longer

Whether you’re batch cooking meals for the week, saving last night’s roast, or just trying to keep your berries fresh a little longer, storing your food the right way makes a real difference. 

It’s not just about kitchen organisation, it’s about saving money, reducing waste, and enjoying your food at its best. And using the correct storage methods can keep your food fresher, safer, and tastier for longer.

Fridge food storage tips

Overstuffing your fridge blocks cold air from circulating, which can lead to spoilage. Aim for tidy shelves with room to breathe. Use vented fridge storage boxes to keep salad, herbs, and vegetables crisp. Built-in drainage prevents sogginess while maintaining the moisture these items need to stay fresh.

Cut fruit and veg should be stored in airtight containers or reusable food covers. Not only do they prevent drying out, but they also trap odours, such as those from sliced onion, stopping smells from spreading through the fridge.

When storing hot food, always let it cool to room temperature before placing it in the fridge. Use well-sealed containers and label them with the date. And remember, your fridge should be set between 0°C and 5°C to keep food safe and fresh. 

Leftovers are good for 3-4 days, and it’s best to store them on the top shelves to avoid any contamination from raw items below.

Freezer food storage tips

Unlike fridges, freezers work best when they’re full. A well-stocked freezer runs more efficiently, so go ahead and batch-cook meals like curries, soups, or stews. Freeze them flat in reusable bags or vacuum pouches for easy stacking and faster defrosting.

You can freeze essentials like milk and bread to avoid last-minute shortages, and portion multipack meats, such as sausages or chicken breasts, so you only thaw what you need. Ice cube trays are a great way to freeze herbs in oil, leftover cream, or even butter for future use in cooking.

Keep your freezer at -18°C (0°F) or below to ensure food stays safe and nutrient-rich. A thermometer is a wise investment if you’re unsure about the accuracy of your freezer.

How to store meat

Meat needs special care. After cooking, cool it quickly and refrigerate it within two hours. Store raw meat on the bottom shelf in sealed bags or containers to avoid leaks. 

Cooked meat should be eaten within 3-4 days or stored in the freezer for later use. As a general guideline, raw meat can last up to 12 months in the freezer, while cooked meat is best used within 2-6 months.

By adopting a few simple storage habits, such as keeping your fridge organised, freezing food efficiently, and handling leftovers with care, you’ll reduce waste, save money, and enjoy longer-lasting, tastier food every day.

Join the Lakeland freshness revolution: The future of fresh starts at home

With the right tools, food waste is something we can all take action against. Whether it’s giving your delicious strawberries a few extra days, making your cheese last until the weekend, or finally finishing that bag of salad, every small change adds up.

At Lakeland, reducing waste isn’t a trend. It’s a commitment we’ve upheld for six decades, and one we’re proud to carry forward. This is because when it comes to food storage innovation, we’ve been leading the way for sixty years. And we’re just getting started.

We’ve always believed that the best innovations start at home. In our case, they began in a humble garage in Windermere back in 1964. That’s where we pioneered the first home freezing solutions in the UK, helping households store and preserve food more efficiently, long before it became a national conversation.

Our iconic Freezeasy Bags and Stack-a-Boxes (innovative at the time and still well-loved today) revolutionised how families approached leftovers, batch cooking, and seasonal storage. And while the design and packaging from those early days may look a little retro now, the ethos behind them hasn’t changed a bit.

And we have plenty more cutting-edge solutions that fit today’s kitchens and lifestyles, like our StayFresh Sheets with RYPEN Technology, our Vacuum Sealer Systems, and our Ovtene Cheese and Charcuterie Sheets and Bags.

Discover our full range of food storage for smarter and more sustainable ways to reduce our waste.