The UK population consumes over 3.1 planets worth of resources each year[1]. This overconsumption creates an uncertainty for future resource usage, as well as affecting the rate and impact of climate change. Everyone consumes differently, choosing to spend our money on material goods or holidays, but there is one part of consumption we all share, the eating of food.

Enough food is produced each year to feed Ten Billion people. Recent reports published by the Institute of Mechanical Engineering in Jan 2013[2], suggest that 30- 50% of this food is wasted due to poor infrastructure and food education.

Food Waste Facts and Figures

Last year UK households threw away 7.2 million tonnes of food, 60% of this food which could have been eaten.[3] The majority of this waste (34%[4]) comes from households, with main reasons for wastage including:

• Cooking too much
• Last minute change of evening plans
• Forgetting what food is available at home
• Wasting good food once it is past its best before date, though most food is still edible for a good few days after this date.

This waste averages out at around £120 per person per year of food waste, or just under £500 for a family of 4.

Global Impacts of food waste

Our food wastage is having an impact on our planet. Agriculture is responsible for a fifth of all global emissions, as well as 70% of yearly global fresh water usage. By wasting food, we are using valuable resources which could have been used elsewhere.

 There is an ethical standpoint surrounding the wastage of food, one that may have been drilled into you as a child,  “That food could have fed the needy in Africa”. This statement is true, by reducing our demand for food, making more available on the global market, prices will fall making food cheaper in developing countries, aiding in reducing food wastage and intensive resource use.

 Overall minimising your food waste is more important than disposing of your waste correctly.

“The environmental impact of throwing away an apple is 6 times greater than the packet it comes in”[5] (Love Food Hate Waste 2013).

If you don’t eat all the apples in a pack, buy them individually and eat them all, they may be a little more expensive, but you are reducing your foodprint [6]and showing the supermarkets that you want control over your portion sizes.

What can you do?

By changing your lifestyle slightly, you can easily reduce your food waste, saving you money as well as reducing your individual carbon footprint.

1.       Shopping Lists

 By making a simple list of the items you need for your cupboards and fridge, or to full weekly meal planning, creating a shopping list, ensures you buy the products you need and not be distracted by offers, or those sweet treats. Further minimising your foodprint[7]

 A new app for smartphones has been released from Love Food Hate Waste, which incorporates a shopping list feature, allowing the creation of lists from recipies or manually on the go. Download it from: http://england.lovefoodhatewaste.com/content/download-new-love-food-hate-waste-free-app

2.       Freeze Food

 Freezing food allows you to extend foods freshness; you can freeze food up to its use by date. Freezing things in portions allow for quick meals after a busy day at work, allowing yesterdays large curry to be saved and eaten at the end of next week, when the budget is pushed or when you want a night off from cooking.

 Freezing items like bread in portions, allows for a quick breakfast, as the bread can come straight out the freezer and into the toaster. Below is a link listing all the food items you can freeze.

 http://frostbitefood.blogspot.co.uk/p/can-i-freeze-it-to-z-guide.html

3.       Leftovers

 Love your leftovers, meat from a roast can be made into 100s of different dishes. Supermarkets have recipe cards and tips on what to do with your leftover food, and there are many articles online, with inspiration on what to do with your leftovers. Ideally you should aim to get your portion sizes correct to ensure there are no unintentional leftovers, which will not get eaten.

 The above mentioned ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ app, incorporates a handy potion size calculator for all main types of food, from pasta, meat and veg, ensuring you cook the right recommended portion size.

 4.       Read and Spread the message

Understanding where food comes from and where it goes, is a great way of increasing your environmental awareness. Broadening your knowledge by reading the above and pass the message on to family and friends, in time our efforts all add up. There are several nationwide campaigns available giving the facts on food waste and reducing your wastage.

Love  Food Hate Waste – http://england.lovefoodhatewaste.com/

Think Eat Save – http://www.thinkeatsave.org/

So next time you do your food shop, think about what is in your trolley and where it has come from. Think about the people who have grown the food, don’t bring shame on their efforts or burn the money in your pocket by purchasing it and not eating it. Reducing waste can be simple with a little forward planning and dedication, it will save you money and reduce your carbon footprint.