1 . It’s estimated that families in the UK create more than six million tonnes of food waste each year. With food prices rising, it’s a good time to become a food-waste fighter. Not only will it save money, it is good for the environment. After all, growing, packaging and transporting food uses a lot of Earth’s resources such as energy and water.     1    .

First, it’s a good idea to find out just how much food goes into your rubbish can. Keep a diary and note down the foods that get thrown most often, and why.

Planning meals for the week can save time and money.     2    . Bananas that are brown and soft can be baked into banana bread at the weekend. Potatoes and carrots last a long time if kept in a cool, dark place.

Cooking the correct size helps too. Weigh out pasta or rice you need before you cook it. Before you pile your plate, check how hungry you are.     3    .

It’s hard to keep track of food that’s gone to the back of the fridge. You could label a shelf an “Eat me first” spot for anything that has been there for a while.     4    . You can freeze leftovers in a sealed container for another day. But heat any leftovers put in a fridge thoroughly before eating.

    5    . Some UK supermarkets have taken “best before” dates off fruit and vegetables. This can encourage people to use their nose and eyes to work out if something is still fine to eat. Don’t forget to update your diary to see how much change you can make.