Stick to your shopping list
Small acts are all it takes to make a big impact
Sticking to a shopping list:
- saves time (a well-organised list means you will be in and out of the shops in no time)
- saves money as you only buy what you need which prevents overbuying or buying what you already have at home
- reduces food going to wasted which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and the use of valuable resources.
It’s a small act with a big impact on Victoria’s sustainable future.
Why it matters
Food waste in Victoria
- Each year, Victorian households throw away 250,000 tonnes of edible food – enough to fill Melbourne’s Eureka Tower.
- The average household in Victoria throws away $2,600 a year in wasted food.
- Almost two thirds of the food Victorian households throw away could have been eaten.
(Sustainability Victoria, Path to Half Report, 2020)
The environmental impact
Food thrown into your general rubbish bin ends up in landfill. Food in landfill breaks down in a way that creates greenhouse gases, including methane, which affects air quality and public health. When we waste food, we also waste the resources used to grow our food (water, soils and energy) and all the energy used to process, package and transport food from farms to markets to our homes.
Tips and tricks
Make a list
There are many ways to make a list. Whether you use pen and paper or a meal planning and shopping list app, choose whatever works for you.
Don't shop hungry
Have a snack before you go. It's harder to stick to your shopping list if you go shopping when hungry and you could end up buying more food than you need.
Organise your list
Try organising your list by store section or according to how you move through the store if you regularly shop in the same place. This can save you time and stress, especially when it’s busy.
Find a small act that works for you
There are many easy ways to reduce waste and recycle more. Find small acts that work for you and be part of Victoria’s sustainable future.
