How much of your prep’s go to waste over a year or two

The harsh reality of prepping: a significant portion of our hard-earned food and supplies can go to waste. Let’s face it, we’ve all been there – meticulously stockpiling cans, grains, and other essentials, only to find out they’re no longer usable when disaster strikes.

Studies suggest that between 20% to 50% of the average prepper’s inventory can become obsolete within a year or two. This staggering statistic is a wake-up call for all us preppers: are we truly prepared for the long haul?

The main culprit behind waste is expiration dates. We’ve all fallen victim to expired canned goods, spoiled meat, and rancid oils. The reason is simple: our storage facilities often don’t provide optimal conditions for preserving food.

Think about it – how many of us store our preps in attics or basements with fluctuating temperatures? Or worse, expose them to direct sunlight or moisture? It’s a recipe for disaster.

Let’s break down the top categories that are most susceptible to waste:

1. Canned goods: 20-30% of canned items can spoil within a year due to improper storage or handling.
2. Grains and flours: 10-20% of these items can become stale or rancid within six months if not stored properly.
3. Oils and fats: Up to 50% of oils can go rancid within three to six months, especially when exposed to light or heat.

But it’s not just food that suffers from waste. Other prepping essentials like medical supplies, batteries, and tools can also become obsolete.

To combat this issue, we need a more proactive approach:

1. **Rotate your stock**: Make sure to use the oldest items first to avoid expiration dates becoming a major problem.
2. **Invest in quality storage solutions**: Look for containers that provide optimal conditions for preserving food and supplies (e.g., climate-controlled facilities or specialized storage bags).
3. **Monitor temperature and humidity levels**: Regularly check your storage areas to ensure they’re within the recommended ranges for your preps.
4. **Label and date everything**: Keep track of what you have, how long it’s been stored, and when it’s due to expire.
5. **Practice maintenance**: Regularly inspect your supplies and replace or rotate items as needed.

It’s time to face the music: our hard work and dedication can be undermined by simple mistakes. But don’t let that discourage you – awareness is the first step towards change.

Prepping should be about preparedness, not waste. By acknowledging the risks and implementing preventative measures, we can significantly reduce the amount of supplies lost over a year or two.

Here’s a rough estimate of what you might expect to lose:

* If you prep for a small family (2-4 people), aim to lose around 5% to 10% of your inventory per year.
* For a medium-sized family (4-6 people), plan on losing around 10% to 15%.
* Large families or communities (7+ people) may experience losses ranging from 15% to 25%.

Remember, these estimates are based on averages. Your actual waste rates will depend on your storage conditions, handling practices, and overall preparedness.

The good news is that you’re not alone in this struggle. There’s a growing community of preppers working together to share knowledge, experiences, and solutions.

Join the conversation:

* Share your own stories of prepping successes and failures.
* Ask for advice on how to improve storage conditions or extend shelf life.
* Collaborate with fellow preppers to develop more effective strategies for reducing waste.

We can do better. It’s time to take a hard look at our prep habits, acknowledge the areas where we’re falling short, and make adjustments to ensure that our efforts don’t go to waste.

Let’s rise to the challenge and become more proactive, resourceful preppers.