Japanese Tips for a Cleaner, Less Wasteful Fridge
Researchers in Tokyo are testing easy ways to organize fridges and cut down on food waste. You only need some tape and stickers to get started.
Have you ever opened your fridge and felt overwhelmed by the mess? Maybe you couldn’t find anything or threw away old food because you forgot about it. You’re not alone. Kohei Watanabe, a waste management expert, explains that food often goes bad because it’s forgotten.
Food waste is a big issue worldwide. In the UK and the US, a large portion of food waste happens at home. Japan also struggles with food waste, especially since it imports most of its food. Reducing waste is crucial for both economic and environmental reasons.
In Japan, a lot of food is wasted because people misunderstand food labels like “best-by” and “use-by” dates. “Best-by” means when the food is at its best, while “use-by” indicates the last safe date for consumption. Many people confuse these dates, leading to unnecessary waste.
To tackle this, Tokyo researchers Kohei Watanabe and Tomoko Okayama tested some simple fridge organization methods. They suggested marking a section of the fridge for food that is about to expire using tape and stickers. They also recommended using clear trays to make these items more visible.
In a recent experiment, these techniques helped reduce food waste by 10% in one area of Tokyo. Residents reported that even just discussing food waste made a big difference.
These methods are easy to apply anywhere. By organizing your fridge and paying attention to food labels, you can help cut down on waste and save money. As Okayama says, “Throwing food away just because it’s past the best before date is a waste of resources and your money.”
BBC reports on these innovative approaches to managing food waste in Japan and their potential global impact.