For many of us, bread is a simple joy that we couldn’t live without. It’s that slice of toast that starts your morning, that comforting crust of bread with soup or that chewy bite of fresh baguette. From sourdough to rye, to fluffy flatbreads and hearty wholewheat loaves, bread is part of so many different cultures and cuisines.
But this beloved staple is also one of the most wasted food resources in Europe. Every day, countless loaves and slices end up in the bin. Let’s look at just how much bread ends up being tossed, and what we can do to change that.
How much bread is wasted?
Bread waste is a huge problem across Europe, with millions of tonnes discarded every year. In France, roughly 1.3 million tonnes of bread are thrown away annually.1 And in UK homes, approximately 20 million slices of bread are sent to landfill every day.2
These numbers show just how important it is to rethink how we consume and store bread. Here are a few ideas to reduce bread waste at home, including how to store bread, plus some clever ways to use leftovers.
How to reduce bread waste at home
Bread can go stale quickly if left out on the counter. The best way to keep your bread fresh depends a lot on its type, but here are a few simple tips to keep your bread fresher for longer and reduce waste.
Don’t leave your bread in the fridge: The most important thing is to avoid storing bread in the fridge! Cold temperatures dry out bread faster, causing it to go stale sooner. Instead, store bread in a cool, dry place to maintain moisture.3
Use a bread box: It’s worth investing in a proper bread box as it will save you money in the long run. A well-designed bread bin creates the perfect environment with just enough humidity and airflow to keep bread fresh for up to three days.4
Avoid storing in plastic: Store bread in a cotton or linen bag rather than plastic. Natural fabric bags allow airflow while preventing the bread from drying out too fast. Unlike plastic, which traps moisture (promoting mould growth and spoilage), fabric bags keep moisture levels balanced. Many zero-waste stores now sell reusable bread bags made from organic cotton.4
Buy only what you need: It can be tempting to take advantage of offers like ‘buy one, get one free’, but it often results in waste. Plan your bread purchases based on how much you will realistically eat. Think about portion sizes, too. If your household doesn’t consume bread quickly, buy smaller quantities. In some countries, you can buy half-loaves or half-baguettes instead of full ones.
Use your crusts: Many people discard bread crusts or heels of bread, even though they are perfectly edible. If you are not a fan of them, you can always whizz them in a food processor to make breadcrumbs rather than waste them. Or turn them into tasty croutons.
Freeze what you don’t need: If you can’t finish your bread quickly, slice it up and freeze it. This way, you can toast or thaw individual slices as you need them, reducing the chance of waste. To defrost, simply pop the frozen bread slices in the toaster and cook for a little longer. Or defrost in the fridge if you prefer bread to toast.
Discover more smart freezer tips to keep summer fruits fresh and delicious for longer.
Can I compost bread waste?
Bread can be composted, but because it attracts pests and gets mouldy easily, it’s best to compost it in a well-managed system or consider other reuse options first to reduce waste.
Clever ways to use leftover bread
Even with the best storage methods, we sometimes end up with a few leftover slices of stale bread. Instead of throwing them away, consider these tasty and creative options:
Croutons: Dice thicker slices, toss them with olive oil and your favourite spices, then bake until crisp. Use as crackers for dips, or add them to a Caesar salad or your favourite soup.
French toast: Stale bread works perfectly for this breakfast favourite. Dip the slices in a little egg and milk and fry in a pan until crispy. Dust with a little powdered sugar for a sweet option, or season with salt and pepper if you fancy something savoury.
Breadcrumbs: Put your leftover bread in a food processor to make homemade breadcrumbs. Use them for stuffing or as crunchy toppings on casseroles, pasta, or to coat chicken or vegan cauliflower wings.
Make bread salad: Panzanella is a classic Italian bread salad made with chunks of bread, tomatoes, onions, garlic, vinegar, and salt. It’s a delicious recipe to use up old bread.
Serve it for dessert: Bread pudding is a traditional English dessert made with slices of bread, cream, eggs, sugar, and sometimes fruit. You can even use the heels or end crusts of bread to make it.
Thicken up soup: Some soup recipes use bread as an ingredient and are ideal to use up extra crusts. Tuscan Ribollita and Spanish Gazpacho are two great recipes to try.
Make some bruschetta: Slice some baguette, then toast it and top with garlic, tomatoes, basil and olive oil for a fancy aperitif.
Bake it into a breakfast casserole: A breakfast strata is a layered casserole made with eggs, bread, cheese, veggies, or meat and baked until set. It’s a great way to use up bread.
Make a fancy toasted sandwich: A croque monsieur/madame is a delicious toasted sandwich from France. It’s made with a creamy white sauce and cheese and works well with slightly stale bread.
Try our 7-day bread challenge
Think you can go a whole week without wasting a single slice? For the next 7 days, try our tips to help reduce waste and get creative with your leftover crusts. Keep track of how much bread you would have normally thrown out, and what you did instead. You might be surprised how much you save, both money and food. Small steps like these can lead to lifelong habits that contribute to big change.
Reducing bread waste on a larger scale
Bread that would otherwise be wasted is sometimes repurposed on a larger scale. For example, some farmers use bread waste as animal feed for cows or pigs. Research is also exploring ways to ferment bread waste into ethanol, a potential biofuel, which could someday help power vehicles sustainably.56
Food producers are also coming up with innovative ideas to reduce bread waste. One example is “rewilding” bread waste by turning it into new products. In some countries, surplus bread is now repurposed into beer or even pasta.78 These upcycled products not only prevent waste but also create a circular food economy.
A brilliant idea that makes fresh bread last longer
The tangzhong method is an East Asian baking technique that helps bread stay fresh longer. It originated in Japan and is often used to make Japanese milk bread. The process involves cooking a portion of flour with water until it forms a paste. This paste is then added to the dough, helping bread retain moisture, so that bread is fluffier and lasts longer.9
Every crumb counts
Reducing bread waste is a simple yet powerful way to help protect the environment and use our resources more wisely. From wasting less, storing bread properly, and creatively using leftovers, we can all contribute to a more sustainable food system.
Explore more delicious ways to cook sustainably, one meal at a time.
