South Africans waste 9 million tonnes of food every year and during the festive season this figure increase by 25%.

With the festive season here, you might be worried about the volumes of food you will be wasting as friends and family come for a visit.

Earth Probiotic CEO and co-founder Karen Heron says the festive season does make people not to think clearly.

Speaking to Azania Mosaka, Heron says the reason for these volumes of waste is as a result of being busy and more people coming over.

We are over catering because we have a lot of friends and our minds are thinking of a million people that are coming around for a meal while in fact it's a few people.

Karen Heron - CEO and co-founder - Earth Probiotic

Have a written plan and finding out with your guests about their dietary requirements.

Karen Heron - CEO and co-founder - Earth Probiotic

Heron shares a few tips on how to save money and food this festive season.

1. Reduce choices

• If you are hosting an event, prevent over-catering by not reducing food choices.

• Buy less more frequently.

• Plan your meals and buy according to the plan – don’t buy for those 'just maybe and in case and what if' imaginary cases.

• Plan and implement

• Men shouldn’t shop! Research has shown that they are less likely to stick to a plan than women. Write down a shopping list and stick to it.

• Buy local and buy seasonal

• Not only will you be supporting your local farmer and manufacturer but you also will reduce waste.

• Get your storage right

• Buy appropriate containers (preferably glass with silicon lids which can be reused again and again) and also store in the right place.

• Get creative with leftovers

• Think ahead of how you can preserve your leftovers and create these new meals.

• Recycle and compost. Divert food waste from landfill.

• As a last resort, once you’ve reduced and reused, you can compost your food waste.

Find out more here:

This article first appeared on 702 : Tips on how to avoid wasting food this festive season