Tips to Reduce Food Waste (and Save Money!)

There's not much more depressing than having beautiful garden veggies, exotic fruit or delicious leftovers that go bad and have to be thrown away before getting the chance to eat it. Not only does it feel wasteful and unsustainable, but it's expensive!

This is our mission at SealVax, to help make your kitchen more organized, more economical, more environmentally friendly and more delicious by helping you keep food fresh for up to 5x longer. Of course, our products are designed to do just that with vacuum seal technology.

Here are some tips to reduce food waste, reduce landfill and save you money:

1. Store Smart: Use vacuum-sealed containers like SealVax to extend the life of your food by up to 5x. This keeps produce crisp, meats fresher, and leftovers tasting just-made—cutting down waste and grocery costs.
2. Eat Local and In Season: Enjoy fruits and vegetables at their peak ripeness—there’s nothing tastier than freshly picked produce. Eating local and fresh also helps the planet by reducing transportation and the need for preservatives, while supporting your local farmers.
3. Plan Meals: Create a meal plan and shop with a list. You’ll buy only what you need, avoid duplicate items, and make better use of everything you already have at home.
4. Love Leftovers: Give leftovers new life with creative meals like stir-fries, salads, or casseroles. Vacuum-sealing leftovers extends their shelf life and makes weekday meals easier. 
5. Understand Expiration Dates: "Best by" doesn’t mean “bad after.” Trust your eyes, nose, and tastebuds. Learn the difference between expiration and sell-by dates to save good food from the trash.
6. Compost: Return nutrients to the soil instead of creating methane in landfills by composting fruit and veggie scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and more.
7. Buy Ugly Produce: “Ugly” or misshapen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious and delicious—but often end up discarded by stores. Give them a home and help reduce waste in the food supply chain.
8. Portion Control: Prepare and serve realistic portions at meals to avoid scraping uneaten food into the trash. This also encourages mindful eating and less overeating.
9. Freeze Smart: If you’re not ready to eat it soon, freeze it! Vacuum-sealing before freezing prevents freezer burn and makes food last longer with better texture and flavor.
10. Organize to Reduce Waste: A well-organized fridge, freezer, and pantry makes it easy to see what you have and use it before it goes bad. Try the “first in, first out” rule and label containers with dates. Group like items together to avoid duplicates hiding in the back.
11. Go Toxin-Free: Choose BPA-free, PFAS-free containers like SealVax to protect your health and the planet. Plastics with harmful chemicals can leach into your food and contribute to microplastic pollution. Glass containers are a great alternative—they’re durable, non-toxic, and won’t affect flavor.