Local families set the standard for reducing food waste
Four local families
have completed the Vale of Glamorgan Council's food waste
challenge, and have set the standard for other residents to
follow.
In addition to being a huge waste of money, wasting food also
contributes to the estimated 6.7 million tones of household waste
which ends up rotting in landfill every year.
The Richards family from Barry were one of the households that
took part. With six people in their home they are a great example
of how easy it can be, even for larger families, to reduce the
amount of food they waste by planning meals and home
composting.
Despite their large family, the Richards' managed to keep to
filling just one black bag in every week of the challenge.
Mum Michelle said: "We have really enjoyed taking part in this
challenge. Although we hardly ever waste food, the challenge has
highlighted to me that my bargain fruit and vegetables buys from
the reduced to clear section of the supermarket aren't always a
bargain because they are not always used before they go off and
therefore end up being wasted."
Michelle added: "I also shop smarter and buy smaller quantities
of items to avoid having to throw anything out. We recycle and
compost whenever possible and we are proud of our one bin bag a
week."
Another Barry family, the Yandalls, also achieved
great results after making a few simple changes to their regime. As
a family of four, with two young children, up to 50% of their
weekly rubbish used to be food waste. However, after signing up to
the challenge they are making extra efforts to plan meals better,
make a shopping list and freezing leftover food.
Mum Alison (right) said: "We are determined to carry on our
efforts to reduce waste even though the challenge has now finished.
It has been a really valuable experience."
Miles Punter, the Vale Council's head of visible services, said:
“We are really proud of what the participants have achieved. It
shows that everyone can make a difference to the environment and
save money in the process."
Follow these top tips and reduce your food waste and save
money!
Use a shopping list
Making a list saves time and money.
Shop with meals in mind and you’ll end up buying less and throw
less away.
Do you really need to ‘buy one and get one free’?
Don’t shop when you’re hungry
Use it or lose it!
60% of us end up throwing away food because it has passed its
‘use by’ date.
Get to know your fridge and what’s inside. Keep an eye on
perishable food and plan to meals to fit in with ‘use by’
dates.
Love your leftovers
More than half of households throw away food because they’ve
cooked too much.
Think before you cook
Get composting
At least 30% of an average household bin can be composted at
home including fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags, coffee
grounds and egg shells.
For further information on recycling services in the Vale please
e-mail visible@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
or call 02920 673000.
19/12/2007