The UK's Food Waste Report
Food Waste In Numbers
Data says that 9.15 million tonnes of food waste is thrown away and not recycled in the UK every year.But while food wastage is huge, so is food poverty with a reported 8.4 million Brits in food poverty– that’s nearly equivalent to the population of London (8.9 million).
One solution is to reduce the amount of food you purchase by ensuring you use all of what you refrigerate. A high-quality fridge freezer with TwinTech® technology, will keep food fresher for longer as will planning your meals for the week and shopping with a list so you don’t pick up what your stomach fancies. Over a year, reducing your food waste by purchasing less and using all of what you buy, could save you £728– that’s equivalent to the cost of a 50-inch television.
Another way to reduce food waste, is to recycle any leftovers or food that has gone off via the council. Food recycling caddies are becoming far more popular with a total of 31 of the most populous cities in the UK currently offering this. However, this amounts to just 59% of councils offering food recycling with the remaining 41% not yet offering this service.
MOST WASTED FOODS
Of the 9.5 million tonnes of food wasted per year, 70% is still fit for human consumption. Unsurprisingly, the most wasted foods are fresh foods as they’re not as commonly frozen which drastically reduces shelf-life.
A quarter (25%) of food waste is from vegetables and a further 22% is of fruits. Similarly, 17% is categorised as leafy greens and 23% from oven baked goods such as cakes, bread, and leftovers.
REDUCING FOOD WASTE
With the UK tightening their pockets across the board, it’s no wonder that 4 in 10 are taking action to reduce household food bill costs.
The less you buy, the less you’re likely to waste. The most common method to reduce food waste is to be more mindful of what is purchased. While shoppers might pick up the odd impromptu item, taking a shopping list (70%) and planning meals (64%) are among the most common methods people are taking to reduce food bills– and subsequently waste.
For 62% of Brits, freezing fresh food is helping them reduce food waste. Freezing on the day of purchase can increase shelf-life considerably and you might be surprised to know that mushrooms, avocados, spinach, and many other fresh foods can be frozen without sacrificing quality.
43% are now cooking smaller portions during mealtimes to reduce the food waste on plates. However, if you are to cook too much, it’s likely you can still freeze your leftovers if you reheat them well within good time. Exact guidelines will vary per food but it’s worth checking food safety guidelines first.
The Regions Recycling Food Waste
Some local councils offer food waste caddies for any leftovers. These are then collected and often composted to reduce the environmental impact of food waste.
We looked at some of the UK’s most populous cities and found that as many as 59% currently offer food waste recycling caddies to their residents. These include councils such as Coventry City Council. Bristol City Council, Milton Keynes, and most boroughs in London.
