For the average household in Port Stephens, that’s approximately $73 per week or $3805 over a year.

Love Food Hate Waste NSW, an initiative run by the NSW Environment Protection Authority, is asking the Port Stephens community to get on board the food waste fighting journey and make some simple changes at home to help save money and the environment.

Some simple steps to help you Love Food Hate Waste at home include plan your meals, shop with a list, think about portion control and keep your food fresh.

We tend to overbuy and overcook which all result in unnecessary waste.

A little bit of planning goes a long way, so have a think about what you'd like to eat during the week and what ingredients you'll need to make the meals happen.

It might seem like a bit of a pain but trust us when we say shopping with a list makes a huge difference to how much food you buy and what ends up in the rubbish bin. 

Take some time to write a list of all the ingredients you'll need to make your meals happen. Don't forget to check your fridge and pantry before heading to the store to avoid doubling up on items.

Cooking too much is one of the biggest causes of food waste at home, so perfecting your portion sizes is a great way to help save money and the environment.

Knowing whether your food should be put in the fridge, freezer or pantry will make a huge difference in how long it lasts for.

After eating a hot meal, if you have any leftovers, only put the food in the fridge once it has cooled down. If you know you won't eat the leftovers within three days, stick the food in the freezer where it'll last for weeks longer.

To keep veggies from wilting in the fridge, wrap them in paper towels so that moisture from the fridge won't be absorbed.

Be sure to change the paper towels every few days if they're in the fridge for a while.

To learn more about how to reduce food waste in your household, and to keep extra money in your pocket, head to www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au.