Japanese philosophy can help you organise your fridge better
Ancient wisdom has a remarkable way of simplifying our modern lives, even when it comes to something as mundane and modern as organising refrigerators. In the monsoon season especially, fridges can become chaotic, with food spoiling faster due to humidity. This leads to unnecessary waste, which can be distressing and costly. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese concept of mottainai, which works on the principle of “waste not, want not,” researchers in Tokyo are testing innovative techniques to help people organise your fridges better.
Kohei Watanabe, a waste management expert at Teikyo University, highlights how food often gets forgotten in the depths of our fridges, leading to spoilage and waste. His research, along with that of Tomoko Okayama from Taisho University, focuses on simple yet effective methods to keep track of food items. They suggest using tape and stickers to label and categorise food, making it easier to see and use what you have before it goes bad.
Another simple trick is to add a section in your fridge where products that are about to go bad are kept. This will help you remember to consume them first. Another great hack is to use clear trays for visibility. Studies suggest that a lot of the food waste comes from you simply forgetting you have something in the fridge. These simple steps not only reduce waste but also help in planning meals better, while saving money and resources.