Refrigerator decluttering is good for your health — and the Earth’s!

Here is how you can apply these strategies at home:

• Designate a “use-soon” section: Using brightly colored tape, mark off a section of your fridge for items that need to be eaten soon. You can also stick the tape directly onto products nearing their expiration. This visual reminder helps ensure you do not forget about perishable items.
• Use clear trays: Place quickly expiring foods in clear, open-topped plastic trays. This way, the food is more visible and easily accessible, so you are less likely to overlook it. You can also reserve a tray for leftovers, helping you prioritize what needs to be consumed first.
• Use stickers to issue emotional nudges:The researchers provided participants with stickers showing a message like “I cannot eat you. I’m sorry” to place on food items they threw away. The idea was to trigger a moment of reflection about food waste, encouraging people to think twice before discarding edible items.

Another angle is in improving our understanding of food labels:

• In many countries, including Japan, the “best-by” date refers to when a product is at its peak flavor, while the “use-by” date indicates when the food could become unsafe.
• However, even after these dates have passed, some foods — especially fermented items such as yogurt or pickles — may still be edible. Researchers encourage consumers to rely on their senses, such as smell and sight, to determine if certain foods are still good.
• Therefore, review expiration dates carefully — do not confuse “best-by” with “use-by” dates.

These smart features ensure that food is stored properly, expiration dates are tracked, and air circulation is optimized to maintain freshness. Here are some of the key innovations in home refrigerators that can complement the above methods:

• Smart food management features
  Many refrigerators now come with Wi-Fi connectivity and built-in sensors. These allow you to check your fridge’s contents remotely via a mobile app, so you do not accidentally buy duplicate items while shopping. Some smart fridges even track expiration dates and send notifications when food is about to hit an expiry date. Digital displays and voice assistants integrated into these models can also suggest recipes based on what you have, reducing the likelihood of wasted ingredients.
• Smart air circulation and humidity control
  New refrigerators feature multi-airflow systems that distribute cold air evenly, preventing temperature fluctuations that can lead to spoilage. Dual-cooling systems ensure that air in the fridge and freezer compartments remain separate, helping to maintain the right humidity for different food categories such as fruits, vegetables, or meats. Many models also offer specialized drawers with adjustable humidity levels to preserve specific food items longer.
• Freshness sensors and adaptive cooling
  Freshness sensors detect gases released by ripening produce and adjust cooling or humidity settings accordingly to slow the ripening process. Additionally, adaptive cooling technology tracks door-opening patterns and adjusts cooling power, ensuring stable temperatures even with frequent use.
• Vacuum-sealed drawers
  High-end refrigerators may include vacuum-sealing drawers that offer a storage environment that extends the life of meats, cheeses, and other perishables by creating a low-oxygen environment where oxidation is reduced.
• Deodorization and anti-bacterial technology
  Some fridges are equipped with deodorizing filters or UV-C sterilization to reduce odors and spreadable bacteria growth, helping keep food in the entire fridge stay fresher longer.
• App integration for food tracking
  Many smart refrigerators connect to mobile apps that help users manage grocery lists, track food inventories, and be reminded when food is close to expiry. These apps also enable remote control of the fridge’s settings, providing greater flexibility in maintaining optimal food storage conditions.