Torridge District Council Supports Food Waste Action Week 2024

Torridge District Council is participating in the fourth annual Food Waste Action Week, which runs from the 18^th to the 24^th March, to encourage residents to reduce food waste in their homes. In the past year, the council's waste and recycling team has collected over 1880 tonnes of food waste, which is equivalent to approximately 32 blue whales or two fully loaded Boeing 747 airplanes.

The theme for Food Waste Action Week 2024 is 'Choose what you'll lose', which aims to encourage people to reduce food waste. The initiative will highlight the benefits of buying loose fruits and vegetables and inspire people to make this choice wherever possible. Research conducted by WRAP has shown that if all apples, bananas, and potatoes were sold loose, we could save 60,000 tonnes of food waste. By enabling people to buy only what they need, we can reduce waste and make a positive impact on the environment.

4.7 million tonnes of edible food is thrown away annually by UK households. 25% of this wasted food is due to people cooking, preparing, or serving too much. This results in a cost of £4.9 billion per year for UK households."

Councillor Chris Leather, Lead Member for Operational Services, said;

"By only purchasing the items that we believe we will use, we can all contribute to reducing food waste. This is a win-win situation for everyone, as it not only benefits the environment but also reduces the household expenses by lowering the weekly food bill. However, the food that cannot be consumed does not have to go to waste. Instead, it can be collected and transported to an anaerobic digestion processing plant. This process transforms the food waste into power that is then supplied back to the grid, reducing our reliance on non-renewable energy sources. If you want to reduce your food waste, you can visit www.wrap.org.uk for tips and suggestions."

Residents can order food caddies and other recycling receptacles online at: www.torridge.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling

March 2024