Warwickshires Love Food Hate Waste shows world leaders the way
Today, the Prime Minister and other world leaders at the G8 summit in Japan, have confirmed what the Warwickshire Waste Partnership has been saying over the past few months.
Cabinet Office research has found that on average each UK household throws away the equivalent of £420 of food. The report, commissioned for the Prime Minister, warns that an astonishing 4.1million tons of produce that could be eaten is being wasted every year across the UK.
We are throwing away about £8 of food every week, and that relates to £98 million worth of unwanted fruit, vegetables and other food each year, an average of £186 for every man, women and child within this county alone.
The report also says the present crisis hits the poor hardest. The poorest 10% of UK households spent 15 % of their outgoings on food in 2005-06. Low income households also spend proportionately more on such things as milk, eggs and bread - among products to have seen the biggest price rises.
This is not news to waste managers in Warwickshire. With the continued increase in the costs of food in this year alone, they have been advising residents on ways to reduce their weekly shop by using a simple shopping list and how to store their food correctly so that it lasts longer.
Love Food, Hate Waste is a Warwickshire Waste Partnership campaign aimed at cutting down the amount of food waste thrown away each year in Warwickshire.
It is well known in the fresh produce industry that most fruit and vegetables keep longer at lower temperatures. For example, oranges and pears will last up to two weeks longer if kept in the fridge. While some bulky vegetables such as potatoes and onions can be stored in a cool dark area and refrigeration is not necessary. It is crucial to stop lighting getting to these items to prevent sprouting. It is simple advice that could save households hundreds of pounds in food costs over a year.
Councillor Alan Farnell, leader of Warwickshire County Council said:
“At least the government is now support our campaign. With cost increases in both food and fuel, some households will start to find it hard to make ends meet,
“That is not the only point to make. In Warwickshire alone, disposal of unwanted food costs the tax payer more than £500,000 each year on top of the £98 million they have spent purchasing the food. That is why we are encouraging people to not throw away food in our Love Food, Hate Waste campaign. If we can support these households in saving some costs, as well as reducing our waste disposal costs that all resident pay for through their Council Taxes, then we all benefit.”
Love Food, Hate Waste is a Warwickshire Waste Partnership campaign aimed at cutting down the amount of food waste thrown away each year in Warwickshire.
For more information on the campaign please contact the Waste Minimisation Team on 01926 412458 or visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/recyclewarks or http://www.wrap.org.uk