What does “Lebensmittelverschwendung” mean in German?

In a clip with money-saving tips, the speaker says a shopping list and price-checking cut “Spontankäufe und Lebensmittelverschwendung” — impulse buys and food waste. That second word looks long, but it is just two parts joined: Lebensmittel (food) and Verschwendung (wasting). Spot those two pieces and the meaning clicks into place — food waste, a topic the clip ties directly to how much money you lose at the supermarket.

Spoken line: “Das reduziert Spontankäufe und Lebensmittelverschwendung.” — “That reduces impulse buys and food waste.” Break it apart: Lebensmittel = food / groceries, Verschwendung = wasting or throwing away. Put together: food waste. You will often hear this word in everyday German: - “Wir wollen Lebensmittelverschwendung vermeiden.” — “We want to avoid food waste.” - “Gegen Lebensmittelverschwendung helfen kleine Reste-Rezepte.” — “Small leftover recipes help against food waste.” - “Apps kämpfen gegen Lebensmittelverschwendung.” — “Apps fight food waste.” Usage notes: it shows up on packaging, in the news, and in everyday conversation, often after “gegen” (against) or “vermeiden” (to avoid). Both parts of this word carry weight: Lebensmittel is the stuff in your fridge, Verschwendung is what happens when it gets thrown out unused.