John Myers
Are you familiar with vegetarians, vegans, flexitarians, and fruitarians, but you have never heard of freegans? Then read on and find out what this diet looks like.
Criticism of consumption when eating: Freegans
The variety of alternative forms of nutrition is constantly increasing and it is not always easy to keep track. Especially since the demarcation is often fluid and there are many intersections. Fruitarians are vegans, which in turn are automatically vegetarians. And Flexigans make exceptions when it comes to the purely plant-based diet and occasionally consume animal products. Some eat differently than most people for health reasons, others are motivated by a certain political and ethical attitude. This includes freeganism. Followers of this vegan diet make a statement against the throwaway society by eating food that ends up in the trash.
Recycle instead of throwing away – live freely
In practice, freegans go “container” or “dumpster”: They take food from dumpsters with them. As a rule, the supporters of the movement use large containers that are in front of supermarkets. This does not happen out of economic hardship, as is the case with the needy, but out of conviction. Those who live freegan can also buy food, clothing, or furniture – but deliberately choose a different path. The aim is to draw attention to the abundance in society and the associated food waste. When it comes to their diet, freegans always make sure that the food is not spoiled and possibly harmful. Most of the time it is about goods with purely visual flaws or that have passed the best-before date. The fact that these are thrown away is a grievance that non-freegans also repeatedly denounce.
Do you have to throw away moldy bread?
Moldy bread should be discarded even if the suspect fluff is only visible on the surface. Simply removing the moldy patches is not enough, as the bread may already be completely covered in fungal spores that are not visible to the eye. Therefore, do not take any health risks and dispose of the bread in the garbage. Mold can damage the kidneys and liver in the long term and can cause cancer.
So that bread doesn’t go moldy so quickly, just follow a few tips for storage. Store your bread in a clean, dry, and cool place. Pack it in an airy, not too tight way, so that it doesn’t start to “sweat”. Bread crumbs should be removed regularly and the storage container and bread box should be cleaned with vinegar from time to time. It is best to buy fresh bread and use it up as quickly as possible. However, you can also freeze it for longer storage and let it thaw in the fridge if necessary. You can even do this in slices – the toaster helps those who are impatient with defrosting.
Freegans in trouble with the law
Their way of life poses problems for freegans. In Germany, containers are prohibited by law. Even if it is rubbish: The contents of the waste bins legally belong to the supermarket operators. Freegans are also confronted with the accusation of trespassing on their collection tours. One way to circumvent illegality are free shops and barter shelves where goods that would otherwise be thrown away are made available.
You don’t want to become a freegan but still want to do something against waste and for the environment? Then read our sustainability tips.
