North East Lincolnshire Council is backing the UK’s first ever Food Waste Action Week to highlight the harmful affects food waste has on the environment.
When we throw away food that could have been eaten, we are not just wasting food but the valuable resources that went into making it including water, land and greenhouse gases.
That’s why during Food Waste Action Week (1 to 7 March 2021), we’re calling on everyone to understand the true value of food and to consider the impact of their behaviours.
You can start by whipping up tasty leftover recipes, using up edible broccoli stalks and potato peelings, storing food the correct way, and spreading the word to ensure that no food that could have been eaten goes to waste.
If we stopped throwing away the 710,000 tonnes of potatoes we waste every year in our homes, it could stop 330,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) from going into the atmosphere.
About 70 per cent of all wasted food in the UK comes from our homes. That’s 4.5 million tonnes of tasty food wasted, and we can save every last crumb.
Cllr Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for Environment and Transport at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:
“Not many people are aware of the links between food waste and climate change. This new campaign serves to make more people realise the impact wasting food has on the environment.
“It’s amazing to think that if we all stopped wasting bread at home in the UK for a year, it could do the same for greenhouse gas emissions as planting 5.3 million trees.
“We can all help by making small changes – saving one slice of bread, one potato, one drop of milk – they all add up to make a big difference. We’ll be posting more food waste tips on our Facebook page through the week.
“Soon we’ll be announcing more details about our own weekly food waste pilot, the latest step in our overhaul of recycling collections in North East Lincolnshire, where we’re helping households recycle more and waste less.”
Love Food Hate Waste
Join Love Food Hate Waste and spread the word about how to waste less food.
Everyone can make a difference, and something as small as saving your leftovers and encouraging friends and family to do the same means you’re doing your part.
So, if you’re hungry for change, visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/foodwasteactionweek to find out how you can get involved and help our planet.
Or look for the tag #FoodWasteActionWeek to find out more.
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