September 20, 2025
Each week, a French household throws away about 2 kilos of food. I tested several solutions in my own kitchen and managed to cut my waste by four. Here are the simplest habits to adopt.
I plan meals for just 4 days at a time. It leaves room for unexpected changes and avoids unnecessary shopping. Result: fewer products going past their expiration date.
Glass jars replaced plastic bags in my cupboards. Everything is visible at a glance. Pasta, rice, and lentils no longer get lost at the back of the drawer.
Soup with soft vegetables, a gratin with leftover pasta… I set up a 'creative leftovers' meal every Sunday evening. It became a family tradition that avoids waste. For seasonal soup inspiration, check our [autumn harvest soup recipes](/en/blog/2025-10-03-seasonal-soups-autumn-harvests).
Conclusion: Switching to a zero-waste kitchen doesn't require a revolution. Three or four changes are enough to lighten the trash and save up to €250 a year. Learn more practical strategies in our guide on [cutting food waste without becoming rigid](/en/blog/2025-09-25-cutting-food-waste).
Alexandre Dubois is passionate about practical eco-friendly living. Based in France, he shares tested habits that reduce costs and environmental impact without overcomplicating daily life. Contact: info@greendailyfix.com
Before even thinking about recycling, real waste reduction starts with one habit: reusing. Across Europe, millions of households are giving new life to worn or forgotten objects — not out of nostalgia, but out of common sense. From jars to furniture to clothes, almost anything can find a second purpose with a bit of creativity and care.
Since 2021, the European Union has banned a range of single-use plastics such as straws, cutlery, and some food packaging. Four years later, change is visible, but progress remains uneven across countries and sectors. Where do things really stand in 2025?
Every time I throw food away, it feels like I'm tossing money straight into the bin. And I'm not alone: the average French household wastes 20 kg of food a year, including 7 kg still in packaging. That's about €240 gone. But there are simple ways to cut this waste without turning daily life into a strict routine.
When you live in a small apartment, composting seems impossible. Yet even in 35 square meters, I managed to turn my organic waste into something useful. Three years later, I've diverted over 200 kilos of food scraps from the trash.