Turns Out Saving The Planet Starts Between Two Slices Of Bread, And Here’s How

If you’ve ever felt personally victimised by a limp bag of spinach in the bottom drawer of your fridge, or the leftovers you swore you’d eat (but didn’t), you’re not alone. Plenty of us are binning perfectly good food—not because we don’t care, but because life’s busy, inspiration’s low, and figuring out what to do with those sad veggies or random cheese bits can quickly drop to the bottom of the to-do list. 

But here’s the good news: cutting food waste is much easier—and tastier—than you think. Enter, The Great Unwaste Toastie Challenge, a nationwide competition proving that yesterday’s leftovers can become today’s elite toastie.

Bring The Toastie Challenge Home 

The Great Unwaste has teamed up with Helga’s to bring the Toastie Challenge straight to your kitchen, helping you give your leftovers a delicious second life.

It’s a simple and satisfying way to use what you already have at home, proving that reducing food waste doesn't mean missing out—it just means getting creative. 

To enter, all you have to do is channel your inner home cook, transforming your leftovers, we’re talking anything from Sunday’s roast chicken to the batch-cooked bolognese taking up space in your fridge, into the ultimate toastie creation.

Before you devour it, snap a pic of your invention here, give it a name, and you’ll go into the draw to win a year’s worth of Helga’s bread*.

That’s 365 days of elite toastie potential. Your sandwich press has never had a bigger moment.

Still not convinced? The average household bins more than 265kg of food each year, which is over $2,500 literally thrown away. Saving money, helping the planet and devouring top-tier carby goodness? That’s a no-brainer.

Learn Toastie Perfection From The Pros

The challenge has also been popping up at events around the country. MasterChef alum Alex Crisp recently brought the toastie inspiration to Adelaide Fringe, sharing simple ways to turn everyday fridge ingredients into something seriously delicious. 

Next stop is the Toowoomba Royal Show (27–28 March), where Crisp will be serving up more zero-waste ideas as the challenge continues its national roadshow.

Want more clever ways to turn what’s in your fridge into something delicious? Head here to learn how to unwaste like a pro.

THE DETAILS

What: The Great Unwaste Toastie Challenge.
How To Enter: Upload your toastie creation online here.
Prize: Win a year’s worth of Helga’s bread*.

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by The Great Unwaste and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.

Image: Urban List.

*T&Cs apply. AU res 18+. Prize = 1 loaf per week for 52 weeks, awarded as a $300 IGA gift card. Enter by April 4, 2026. Promoter: End Food Waste Australia Ltd.