Food waste is a major global problem that affects us all. According to the Love Food Hate Waste Organisation, 70% of the UK's food waste is generated from households. However, by making simple changes to reduce our food waste, we could prevent 36 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions entering our atmosphere. Food waste not only has negative impacts on the environment, but also results in huge financial loses for the economy as well as individual households.
The past week was all about demonstrating how valuable food is in our lives, how it unites people and how using up everything we buy saves money, time and the planet.
What is Food Waste Action Week?
Food Waste Action Week 2023, which was held 6th - 12th March, focused on "Win. Don't Bin" - with the mission to halve food was by 2030. This campaign aims to increase the public's confidence in "using up leftovers" by promoting a range of skills that can be easily adopted, but potentially have the greatest impact on reducing food waste in the home. The campaign is organised by Love Food Hate Waste and supported by WRAP, a UK charity that aims to create a world in which resources are used sustainably.
The Food Waste Action Week is important because it highlights the scale of the problem and the impact of food waste on climate change. In addition, it encourages people to take practical steps, including planning meals, using up leftovers and understanding the best food storage methods.
Raising awareness to combat food waste
At Anglian Waste Recycling, we are passionate about reducing waste produced by households, as well as working closely with clients in the hospitality industry to offer a responsible recycling solution.
During Food Waste Action Week, our team took over our social media channels to share their tips and guidance on how to reduce food waste at home and in the workplace. We also focused on the importance of responsible food waste recycling, including the benefits of correct segregation from other waste streams and the process of composting. We hope to have encouraged conversations about the role that recycling plays in reducing environmental impacts.
If you missed any of our activities from the week, you can catch up here:
Meet the Client - Breckland Lodge, our hospitality industry recycling customer
Q&A with our waste recycling team
Tips and advice over on our social media
Ryan Marshall, our Senior Environmental and Waste Manager, featuring on BBC Radio Norfolk listen below:
"How can I reduce food waste?"
We want to help households and businesses across East Anglia to save money and increase their recycling rates by getting creative with their leftovers and reconsider their food buying habits. Here's how you can reduce your food waste:
Think - Carefully consider what you need to buy from the shop and create a meal plan.
Responsibly Shop - stick to your shopping list so you stay within budget and only buy what you need.
Store - Follow storage suggestions on food packaging and ensure your fridge is below 5°C to keep produce fresh.
Track - Keep an eye on expiry dates and eat food close to the end of its life first.
Leftovers - Get creative with any leftover ingredients to make an extra meal to save money and the environment. The Love Food Hate Waste have a fantastic recipe tool which can suggest meal ideas based on what you have in your fridge and cupboards.
Recycling - Any food peelings or unwanted food should be segregated into a food waste bin so it can be recycled, or alternatively can be used in your compost heap in your garden. Clients of Anglian Waste Recycling who take advantage of our food waste service will have their leftover food processed at a local anaerobic digestion plant to generate gas for local homes and digestate for farmers.
Learn to love food and hate waste
We hope that this important event has raised awareness of the impact food waste has on the environment and encourages households and businesses to make practical changes. As a company, Anglian are committed to promoting responsible recycling and we are proud to have supported this campaign.
Together, we can make a difference and create a more sustainable future.
For more information on how you can love food and hate waste, visit LFHW website.
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