The British government is considering introducing fines for people who throw away food scraps and banning food waste from going to landfill sites. Similar bans already exist in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Massachusetts in the US. But cutting down on food waste does not have to be unhygienic or impractical; several stylish and useful products are available.

India-based Daily Dump produces clay composting containers in several models suited to particular households’ needs. The process produces nutrient-rich soil that can be used to grow plants – some models even incorporate planters. The containers come with rat-proof lids and the larger models come in a choice of eight patterns or can be painted to match your decor. Prices start at Rs400 ($8.50)

The Vermicondo (pictured right), by Levitt Goodman Architects, is a multi-level stainless steel container designed for more contemporary interiors. Essentially high-rise living for worms, it even features a “rooftop garden”. It is more expensive, however, at $1,500.

A high-tech option is the BioPod, which uses an ionisation process to hygienically break down food waste. It has LED lights to indicate the condition of the contents and tell you when it needs to be emptied.

If space really is limited, there’s the Jarst tabletop composter, designed by Leonardo Fortino and Andrea Bartolucci. This consists of a container inside a flowerpot, which can be used to grow herbs or small plants. As its name suggests, it can be placed on top of a table or kitchen unit and is designed for people to put scraps in while cooking.