KARACHI:
Every day, food is prepared with time, money and effort, yet much of it ends up in the bin. At homes, restaurants and social gatherings, we often prepare or order more than we need. Sometimes we take large portions on our plates and leave half of them untouched.
Food waste may seem like a small issue when it happens once, but repeated waste can become a serious problem. When we throw away food, we also waste the resources used to produce, transport and prepare it. At a time when the cost of food is increasing, being more careful about what we buy and consume is especially important.
The solution does not always have to be complicated. We can serve smaller portions, order only what we can finish and store suitable leftovers properly. At gatherings and restaurants, safe and untouched surplus food can also be shared or donated through responsible channels.
Most importantly, we need to change the way we think about food. We should value it instead of treating it as something that can simply be replaced. Reducing food waste can start with one simple habit: take only what you can eat and avoid throwing away what can still be used.
Aiman Iftikhar
Karachi
