How’s this for an astonishing statistic: 40 percent of all food produced in the U.S. is wasted. At first glance, it’s easy to interpret this to mean that we’re talking about food that consumers and restaurants throw away. Upon further investigation, though, I found that the number represents all food produced in the U.S. that is wasted somewhere between farm and table. That’s billions of dollars of food never consumed, not to mention 40 trillion liters of water used in food processing that goes down the drain, according to a Stockholm International Water Institute study. Let’s not forget the methane created when perishables just sit in landfills, either. In order to figure out if you’re part of the problem, think about your own practices.

这项惊人的统计数据感觉如何：美国生产的所有食品有40%被浪费了。乍一看，很容易将其理解为我们在谈论消费者和餐馆扔掉的食物。但经过进一步调查研究，我发现该数字代表着所有美国生产的食品在农场和餐桌的某处被浪费掉了。这是从未消耗的数十亿美元食物，更不用说40万亿公升用于食品加工的水进入下水道，据斯德哥尔摩国际水资源研究所的研究发现。我们也别忘了易腐物品仅在垃圾填埋场就能产生的甲烷。为了找出你是否是该问题的一部分，思考一下自己的行为。

Here’s how to not only reduce waste, but save thousands of household dollars

这不仅关乎如何减少浪费，也是节约成千上万的美元开支。

Plan Proactively

Before going to the grocery store, make your shopping list by doing a quick inventory of what you have. Note expiration dates and perishables that are beginning to overstay their welcome and then build your next meal around that forgotten eggplant or head of broccoli. Practice the same process but think longer shelf life for pantry items bought in bulk.

去杂货店之前，通过快速清查你所拥有的东西制作你的购物清单。注明过期日期和将要开始超过保质期的易腐物品，然后思考你忘记茄子或西兰花的下一餐。练习相同的流程，但为散装买的处理品考虑更长的货架期。

Remember to Rotate

When unpacking groceries, be sure to use the FIFO Method (First in first out) in the cooler and the cupboards alike. Slip new items into the back of your fridge and finish the last of the OJ before you open that new container. Remember to rotate canned goods, too.

在取杂物时，在冷却器和橱柜里确保使用先进先出法。把新物品放在你冰箱的后面，在你打开新瓶时要喝完剩下的橙汁。也要记得拧紧罐头。

Save Spare Ingredients for Additional Meals

Plan to use the whole quart of buttermilk (or sour cream or heavy cream) you buy when you need just one cup for the biscuits you’re making. You can double the recipe and freeze half the biscuits and then make pancakes with the rest. Remember to keep your eye on your eggs’ expiration date. Coming close? Make a quiche and pop it in the freezer.

当你制作饼干只需一杯牛奶时要计划用完你买的全部酪乳(或酸奶或奶油）。你可以制作双份，一半饼干冷冻，然后把剩下的制作煎饼。记得盯紧你鸡蛋的过期日期。快了吗？做个乳蛋饼放在冰箱里吧。

Save Spare Ingredients for Additional Meals

Plan to use the whole quart of buttermilk (or sour cream or heavy cream) you buy when you need just one cup for the biscuits you’re making. You can double the recipe and freeze half the biscuits and then make pancakes with the rest. Remember to keep your eye on your eggs’ expiration date. Coming close? Make a quiche and pop it in the freezer.

当你制作饼干只需一杯牛奶时要计划用完你买的全部酪乳(或酸奶或奶油)你可以制作双份，一半饼干冷冻，然后把剩下的制作煎饼。记得盯紧你鸡蛋的过期日期。快了吗？做个乳蛋饼放在冰箱里吧。

资料来源：新概念英语网校