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Zero Waste Week 2014 – Menu Plan

Here in the UK zero waste week 2014 started yesterday, and I have signed up!! Yikes – I am being completely realistic in that inevitable items will end up in the bin, but I am going to make small achievable steps to reduce this.

zero waste week (1)

My pledge is menu plan to reduce food waste. As part of this I am endeavouring to avoid unnecessary plastic whilst doing the weekly shop:)

Zero Waste week coincides with a drive to maximise what we have, and economise on the food budget (holidays next year being the motivation!). With that in mind I have menu planned based on the vegetables in the garden, and food in the freezer.

tomatoes

Monday – Tomato tart, with salad (home grown tomatoes, cucumber & spring onions), pastry from the freezer. The tomatoes are being encouraged to ripen!

Beetroot

Tuesday – French beans,  with grilled beetroot and halloumi – dressed with balsamic vinegar, with new potatoes (home grown french beans & beetroot)

Corn on the cob

Wednesday – Corn on the cob, French beans, Ratatouille, Salmon, with new potatoes (home grown Corn on the cob, french beans, and tomatoes from the ratatouille


carrots

Thursday – Pulled Pork, Broccoli, Carrots,

Friday – away (yippee, our annual night away with the grandparents having the children)

Saturday – Chicken curry with rice (using left over roast chicken, with apples and

mushrooms)

french beans

Sunday – Chipolata Sausages, corn on the cob, french beans, potatoes

As I type I am conscious of some of the waste from this menu plan, in particular plastic (halloumi cheese, salmon, pastry wrappings for a start). The menu has changed in that I have swapped new potatoes for jacket potatoes – there was a limit to the amount of loose veg I felt I could cope with in the shopping trolley!

My plan is to research the local council recycling policy, and to explore bonding plastic together to create a fabric plastic. I anticipate I will be maximising use of the compost bin, and am really hoping I can encourage the children to eat their crusts!

What small steps could you make to reduce waste this week?? If you feel inspired there are some simple and easy ideas here.

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Theresa Davis

Wednesday 27th of May 2015

I go to the grocery's with my on fabric bag and I do not use any plastic bags. I think that this is a good way to avoid the plastic waste. I also think that it is very nice idea to plan the meals for the week so you will be able to buy as many products as you need. Thank you for the nice ideas!

Jill

Tuesday 2nd of September 2014

Good for you Vicky! we don't have a zero waste week here in Australia that I know of, but we're doing our best to reduce our waste anyway. I'm envious of all those lovely veggies growing in your garden! Sounds like a tasty week of meals! Good luck with your zero waste week!

Rachelle Strauss

Tuesday 2nd of September 2014

This is so well thought out. I'm rubbish at planning meals in advance, but what I DO do is list everything on a whiteboard on a Sunday evening that needs using up from the fridge so I don't suffer the 'out of sight, out of mind' scenario. I also organise the fridge so the things that need using up quickly are on the top shelf where we can see it. Jars are kept in the salad drawer where they can stay for a while. I got so fed up pulling slimy lettuce and cukes from the salad drawer I turned everything on its head ;)

Amylouise5

Tuesday 2nd of September 2014

What a great idea to have a list of what needs using up:) and organising the fridge - I never seem to get the temperature right on the fridge, often end up with frozen veg:(

Una

Tuesday 2nd of September 2014

My bin might be fuller than usual this week because Daughter has decided to clear out her room. But I will be salvaging as much as possible of her waste. Clothes will go to charity and everything else recyclable will go in the correct bin.

Amylouise5

Tuesday 2nd of September 2014

I think it is much harder when having a big sort out (well thats my excuse for not having a clear out this week!) - good luck with sorting:)

Becky Chapman

Tuesday 2nd of September 2014

We've just started getting a veg box and I'm really pleased with the reduction in packaging and in waste (as I'm now really motivated to use everything up as it all tastes so lovely!) Still very concious of all the waste we do create, however, so many things seem to come in unecessary packaging. Our long-term aim is to have a small veg patch and a composter to help recycle scraps, but that's a way off. Speaking of scraps, I did once go to a carvery-type restaurant where they served the peelings from potatoes in a tomato and cheese-topped bake. It was lovely!

Amylouise5

Tuesday 2nd of September 2014

The potato peeling recipe sounds scrummy:) Just read that S Norfolk are revolutionising their recycling, yeah!! http://www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/_noindex/1112_393830.asp

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