Food waste is a serious issue in society today. Not only do millions of people around the world go hungry every day, but wasting food contributes to the degradation of the environment, too. Recognizing this, many Americans are starting to adopt smarter storage practices to help mitigate the severe impact of food waste. Even better, using storage hacks to reduce food waste comes with its own set of benefits, from saving money to practicing healthier eating habits.

By incorporating smart storage hack practices into your daily routine, you can cultivate to a more eco-friendly lifestyle while still enjoying your favorite meals. To learn how, here are six storage hacks that you can use to reduce your environmental impact.

1. Master the art of meal planning.

Meal planning is pretty big on social media, but entire communities are dedicated to the practice. Meal planning involves creating a menu for the entire week, which helps prevent impulses during grocery store runs. When you have a shopping list prepared, you can navigate the grocery store aisles with purpose, which is especially beneficial for your wallet (and your waistline).

2. Optimize your refrigerator layout.

Did you know that the way you organize your refrigerator can have a pretty big influence on your food quality?

For example, refrigerators are designed with special crisper drawers that create the perfect environment for storing fruits and vegetables so they maintain their freshness for longer. Additionally, storing leftovers at eye level can help remind you that they’re there so you avoid food waste. Another tip is to never, ever overcrowd your fridge, as doing so prevents air from circulating properly, which can cause your food to spoil more quickly.

3. Invest in quality storage containers.

Storage containers are a godsend when it comes to reducing food waste. And when it comes to shopping for quality storage containers, the saying “you get what you pay for” certainly holds true.

Always invest in high-quality, airtight storage solutions that are transparent. This ensures that you can better see the contents so you have an idea of what needs to be used before your food starts to spoil.

4. Utilize freezer-friendly storage.

The freezer is an often overlooked but very useful tool for fighting food waste. You can extend the shelf life of a number of foods by simply storing them in the freezer. You can freeze fruits and vegetables during peak season to enjoy taking advantage of their robust flavor and nutrition during off-seasons. And as previously mentioned, meal planning can reduce your environmental footprint, so be sure to prepare and freeze a few meals in advance for quick, convenient access later on.

5. Get creative with leftovers.

There are two types of people: those who like leftovers, and those who hate them. If you’re part of the latter group, you can still fight the good fight against waste by repurposing leftovers.

Transforming leftovers into totally new dishes not only helps the environment, but it adds a ton of variety to your weekly menu, too. This is especially beneficial for people who quickly become bored with eating the same meal day after day. For example, you can blend leftover roasted veggies into a soup. You can even use day-old rice as the base for a stir-fry, incorporating meat and a few veggies to complete the meal.

6. Be mindful of expiration dates.

While a lot of foods are safe to eat after their expiration date passes, staying up-to-date on expiration dates is another important part of preventing food waste.

To reduce your environmental footprint, be sure to place foods that are close to expiring at the front of your pantry or refrigerator. That way, you can prioritize consuming them before they start to decay.