When over 5,000 American households were studied in order to learn about the amount of food they wasted, the study concluded with the staggering statistic that Americans throw away almost 70% of the food they buy. The number one reason cited for this unbelievable waste was food spoilage. There are, however, numerous techniques that will help consumers waste less of the food they buy. We've put together a list of ways you can use plastic food storage containers to help control food waste and save money.

1. Freezer-proof storage bags: these are special plastic food storage containers that were developed to keep food from freezer burn. While storing food in sub-zero temperatures, it can undergo a chemical process that dehydrates the food and gives it a bad taste. This chemical process is freezer burn. Special freezer bags are available that will help your food avoid freezer burn and remain as you bought it for as long as 3 years.

2. Breathable vegetable bags: this is a new item on the market that is designed especially for fruits and vegetables. They work by sealing your fruits and veggies against spoilage while allowing a small amount of air circulation inside the bag. This tends to keep them fresh for much longer than conventional plastic food storage containers - depending on the produce, up to six weeks.

3. We tend to throw away small amounts of leftovers. Instead, freeze these in multi-compartment plastic food storage containers. All you need to do later during mealtime is to pop out a cube of frozen leftover, reheat and serve. You can also get innovative and freeze individual cubes of fruit for smoothies or make broth out of frozen vegetable.

Fourth, vacuum storage is an excellent way to keep food fresh for a very long time, and it will also reduce the amount of space that food takes up in your refrigerator. Air is removed from your plastic food storage containers or bags with a special device. This makes the bags much smaller, and also keeps food from spoiling or ever suffering freezer burn.

Whether you've run out of room in your freezer or refrigerator, are trying to save money, or just want to keep food fresher for longer, using special food storage containers is the way to go.