Reduce the rubbish mountain

When food waste rots it produces methane, a greenhouse gas more than 20 times more damaging than CO2 (carbon dioxide). The best way to reduce the rubbish mountain is to be less wasteful about what we’re throwing out.

Store bought food properly

There’s nothing worse than buying lots of lovely things to eat and then finding out they’ve gone off. It could be because of the way the food has been stored. For example, separate fruit which is ripening up more quickly than others. Bananas tend to ripen other fruits faster so it’s good to keep them away from other fruits.

Don’t cook too much food

Try to be aware of measuring out the correct portions per person. There is a really easy portion calculator at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com However, if you have cooked too much, store the food in an airtight container and eat the next day either as a packed lunch or as part of one of your meals at home.

Try not to bulk buy too many foods

It’s good to buy foods fresh. Make frequent shopping trips by foot to your local shop or convenience store, that way you’ll get some exercise and you’ll be helping your corner or local shop.

BOGOF Buy One Get One Free

It may look like you’re nabbing a bargain at the supermarket and I for one am a sucker for any good deals along the aisles, but the chances are the second food item will go to waste. So, one idea is to give one of the items purchased to your friend or neighbour.

It’s all about respecting the food we buy, becoming aware of the need to reduce the amount of food that we throw away, and how doing this will benefit us as consumers and the environment. In this way we not only economize and save a few pounds but also watch our waste and waistline.

Visit the www.lovefoodhatewaste.com website for tips, recipes and much more. Alternatively, you can email or call their Helpline if you have any questions on 0808 1002040 (This is a UK number, charges may apply)