Buy loose fruit and veg to save food from the bin - Torridge District Council supports Food Waste Action Week 17-23 March 2024

Torridge District Council will be supporting Food Waste Action Week, which is running from 17th - 23^rd March 2025, to help support residents develop the tools they need to cut food waste on their homes.  This year, Food Waste Action Week will focus on raising awareness of the benefits of buying loose fruit and veg.

During 2024, the council's waste and recycling team collected almost 2,500 tonnes of food waste which works out as 73 kg per household.  With food waste costing £1,000, on average, for a household of four every year, Food Waste Action Week aims to help shoppers to save money and waste less food by shopping for loose produce.

Councillor Leather, Lead Member for Operational Services, Torridge District Council, commented:

"Reducing food waste is a win-win for everyone.  By avoiding fruit and vegetables in plastic packaging and multi-buy offers, we are more likely to buy only what we need, meaning less goes to waste and we have a little bit more change in our pockets.

"However, what can't be used does not go to waste.  Once collected, the food waste is transferred to a processing plant where it goes through an anaerobic digestion process which turns it into power which is 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."

If you are not currently recycling your food waste and would like to do so, please request a food caddy from Torridge District Council https://torridgedc-self.achieveservice.com/service/Request_Recycling_Containers

Mar 25