Waste Less Food Handbook - A Guide to Reducing Food Wastage and Saving Money - Chapter 1 - The Real Cost of Food Wastage

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Angel

Waste Less Food Handbook - A Guide to Reducing Food Wastage and Saving Money explains the real cost of food wastage in Singapore, defining food waste versus avoidable food wastage and quantifying the scale of discarded food each year. It highlights where food wastage comes from across manufacturers, households, markets, and eating establishments, and why it matters, including wasted resources, labour, limited space for waste treatment, and the financial impact on households. The guide then offers practical strategies for reducing waste at home, while shopping and storing food effectively, and through mindful habits during meals, events, and office routines, encouraging community support for excess food.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages30

Reading Time1 h 16 min

AccessFree to download

Chapter 1 The Real Cost of Food Wastage

Where does it all go?

Why does it matter to us?

Chapter 2 Love Your Kitchen Creations

Tips for Home-cooked Meals

Turn Scraps Into Treasure

Chapter 3 Make Your Groceries Go Further

Tips for Grocery Shopping

Tips for Storing Food

Food Storage Chart

Chapter 4 Mindful Makan Moments

Tips for Eating Out

Tips for Events and Parties

Interactive Activity: Mindful Makan Habits Tracker

Chapter 5 Smart Office Pantry Habits

Manage the Food in Your Office Wisely

Interactive Activity: Office Food Hero Word Search

Chapter 6 Share the Love with the Community

Waste Less Food Handbook A Guide to Reducing Food Wastage and Saving Money 14 Jan Consume by Chapter 1 The Real Cost of Food Wastage Discover how much food wastage is generated in Singapore and why it’s a growing concern. 03 |
Chapter 2 | Love Your Kitchen Creations | 07 | | --- | --- | --- | | | Learn how to prep meals at home without wastage, and explore delicious ideas for using up leftovers.
Tips for Home-cooked Meals
Turn Scraps into Treasure | | | | | 08 | | | | 09 | |
Chapter 3 | Make Your Groceries Go Further | 12 | | | Practical tips on grocery shopping, smart storage, and getting the most out of what you bring into the kitchen.
Tips for Grocery Shopping
Hacks to Get the Most Out of Your Food

Tips for Storing Food

Food Storage Chart | | | | | 13 | | | | 14 | | | | 16 | | | | 17 | |
Chapter 4 | Mindful Makan Moments | 18 | | | Find out how to cut down on food wastage when dining out, hosting gatherings, or celebrating special occasions.
Tips for Eating Out
Tips for Events and Parties

Tips for Festive Gifting and Feasting

Interactive Activity: Mindful Makan Habits Tracker | | | | | 19 | | | | 20 | | | | 21 | | | | 23 | |
Chapter 5 | Smart Office Pantry Habits
Learn how to better manage the food in your office | 24 | | | pantry and reduce unnecessary wastage.
Manage the Food in Your Office Wisely
Interactive Activity: Office Food Hero Word Search | | | | | 25 | | | | 26 | Chapter 6 Share the Love with the Community 28 Discover how excess food can be channeled to support those in need. 03 Chapter 1 The Real Cost of Food Wastage We toss out more than we realise. Let’stake a closer look at food wastage and where it all ends up. Chapter 1: The Real Cost Of Food Wastage 04 The Real Cost of Food Wastage In Singapore, food brings us together. But sometimes, we contribute to food wastage when we order, cook or buy more than we need. Food Waste refers to all unconsumed food substances that are disposed Food Wastage refers to avoidable food waste that occurs as a result of retailers' or of or recycled. consumers' behaviour. How much food does Singapore throw away each year? 646,000 tonnes 2 bowls of food per person each day OR 44,400 double decker buses Refer to [http://www.nea.gov.sg/food-waste-management ](http://www.nea.gov.sg/food-waste-management for the amount of food waste Singapore disposed every year)[for the amount of food waste Singapore disposed every year](http://www.nea.gov.sg/food-waste-management for the amount of food waste Singapore disposed every year). Chapter 1: The Real Cost Of Food Wastage 05 Where does it all go? Food waste is generated from food manufacturers, households, markets, hawker centres, supermarkets and food courts or other eating establishments. About 18% of the food waste in Singapore is recycled. FOOD MANUFACTURER Chapter 1: The Real Cost Of Food Wastage 06 Why does it matter tous? Singapore is a small country with limited space. At the rate we are producing waste, we will run out of space to site new incineration plants and landfills. The resources and labour used to produce the food also go to waste, along with hard-earned money we use to buy food. The groceries you forget in your fridge could cost you $300a year 1 in 3 Singaporeans throw away more than 10% of food weekly. That works out to throwing away an average of $258 worth of unconsumed food a year. Taking inflation into consideration1, $258 in 2019 would cost $297.01 in 2023. That’s approximately $300 worth of food wasteda year! Those side dishes you don’t finish could cost you $1,100a year Cost of a side dish at a fast food outlet ranges from $3 to $7. Assuming purchasing a side dish 3 times a week = $21, 52 weeks in a year = $1,092. That’s approximately $1,100 worth of unfinished side dishes wasted a year! Sources 1[https://www.cgs.go

FAQs

What is the difference between food waste and food wastage in the handbook?

Food waste refers to all unconsumed food substances that are disposed of or recycled. Food wastage refers to avoidable food waste that occurs due to retailers’ or consumers’ behaviour.

How much food does Singapore throw away each year according to Chapter 1?

Chapter 1 states that Singapore throws away 646,000 tonnes of food each year, and it illustrates this with comparisons such as 2 bowls of food per person each day.

What practical steps does Chapter 2 suggest to reduce waste at home?

Chapter 2 encourages repurposing food scraps for flavouring, planning meals using what is already in the kitchen, and using a “Meal Mash-Up Bingo” approach to creatively use ingredients before they expire.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Angel