RESIDENTS across Worcestershire are being urged to make a concerted effort to reduce their food waste.
Worcestershire County Council is supporting the UK’s second Food Waste Action Week which was launched by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).
The week – which began on Monday and ends on Sunday (March 7 to 13) – aims to create lasting change to help halve global food waste by 2030.
Coun Tony Miller, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “All those mouldy loaves of bread and half-eaten bags of salad thrown in the bin are having an impact on the environment and costs.
“We need to take action to reduce avoidable wastage, and value our food.”
He added if people kept track of what was in their fridge before they shopped and made the most of their freezer, people would be less likely to waste food and save money in the process.
“Planning ahead and judging portion sizes correctly are small changes that can also make a huge difference.’’
Food waste makes up over a third of Worcestershire’s household waste and is the equivalent to 4,600 double-decker buses or nearly 300 adult blue whales.
The average family throws away £720 worth of perfectly edible food each year and by reducing this amount it can help both the pocket and the environment.
The council has a set a target of halving its carbon emissions by 2030 and as the waste it disposes of contributes to a large part of the emissions.
Anything residents can do to reduce waste, particularly food, will help achieve this target.
Some food waste is unavoidable. But much of it, with some careful planning and handy recipes, can be avoided at home.
Tips include planning meals and not buying too much food when shopping.
Food should be stored appropriately, the fridge should be at the correct temperature and people should check use by dates to ensure they get through their food in time.
Freezing items is an option of prolonging food but the labels on the containers should be adhered to.
People can eat what they buy in time by using odd bits in fridges, such as cheese or ham, with another meal or cook it for lunch the next day.
Visit letswasteless.com for more.
