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• Waste Minimisation

Wasting Food is Spoiling Your Carbon Footprint

It's rather sobering to think that a third of all the food we buy in the UK is thrown away every year. That's 6.7 million tonnes, and most of it could have been eaten.

This waste food goes to landfill sites outside urban areas and it is environmentally damaging using fuel in lorries to transport that kind of volume.

Also, the rotting food releases methane that is a major contributor to global warming as a prime Green House Gas (GHG).

In addition, energy and resources are used to produce the food in the first place that is wasted if it goes to landfill.

Joint Effort on Reducing Waste
If everybody changes their behaviour a little bit it adds up to a big difference.
Major food retailers are looking at ways to reduce the weight of material going to landfill through the WRAP - Courtauld Commitment. Opens in a new window

They have lessened the thickness and weight of glass bottles and plastic containers. The specification of food trays has changed to get rid of expanded polystyrene that cannot be recycled and use plastics and cardboard that can be re-used or recycled. Packaging is being minimised.

The greatest opportunity to reduce waste is for the householder to being more careful how they buy food and also how they both store and make better use of the food so less goes to waste.

The Love Food, Hate Waste campaign
If you want a good place to start, find out more about cutting back on food waste at the Love Food, Hate Waste campaign website.

This new initiative from Government agency WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) is full of practical ideas for anyone who wants to make the most of the food in their cupboards and fridges. WRAP - Household Food Waste Opens in a new window

A little careful planning is really all it takes to make a start.

For instance, by keeping your fridge at the right temperature you can really extend the life of your food - the optimum temperature is between 1˚ and 5˚. Try re-arranging the items in your fridge regularly, bringing the older food to the front to make sure it is used before you have to throw it away.
Remember, it takes less energy to keep a full fridge cool than an empty one, so a well stocked (and tidy) fridge can really help with energy efficiency.

Keep your cool
Freezing is one of the best ways to keep nearly all types of food fresh for long periods of time. Short-life meals, such as ready meals, can enjoy a much longer period of usefulness if they are frozen after purchase. And do not forget that you freeze leftovers and use them later as your own 'ready meals'.

If one of the things you find you're often throwing is mouldy slices of bread, why not try freezing half the loaf? Frozen sliced bread can make marvelous toast.

And if you find your bread has gone stale, remember the birds outside before you throw it in the bin - they're not nearly as fussy as you and me, and will be glad of the treat.

A lot of us can also be guilty of cooking a little too much, so making notes of the perfect amounts when you cook can help make sure you get it spot on next time. And if you are stuck with leftovers you really can't do anything with, investing in a wormery is an ideal way to get rid of them in an eco-friendly way. And don't forget to compost all those peelings and used tea bags!

Finally, how about getting a bit creative with what you might normally throw away. Overripe fruit (and some vegetables) can make really tasty and nutritious smoothies. And they're great fun to make too.

A smoothie is a blended, chilled, sweet beverage made from fresh fruit. In addition to fruit, many smoothies include crushed ice, frozen fruit, or frozen yoghurt. They have a milkshake-like consistency which is thicker than slush drinks, but unlike milkshakes, they do not usually contain ice cream, but can contain milk. Smoothies are marketed to health-conscious people, and some restaurants offer add-ins such as soy milk, whey powder, green tea, herbal supplements, or nutritional supplement mixes.

For more information on reducing food waste, take a look at WRAP's website and their Love Food Hate Waste campaign. And, if you come up with any of your own waste-busting ideas make sure you share your ideas.

• Recyclenow Partners - Love Food Hate Waste Opens in a new window
• Love Food Hate Waste Campaign Opens in a new window