The Isle of Wight Council is proud to support Food Waste Action Week, the UK’s largest annual food waste reduction campaign, delivered by WRAP through its Love Food Hate Waste initiative.

The campaign highlights the simple steps households can take to cut food waste, save money and protect the environment.

Food waste remains a significant national issue. According to WRAP, UK households throw away 4.4 million tonnes of edible food every year, generating around 16 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

Food wasted in UK homes is valued at an estimated £17.5 billion annually, with the average family of four losing around £1,000 per year in discarded food.

With around 60 per cent of all UK food waste coming from households, small changes in daily routines can deliver substantial benefits.

Residents are being encouraged to:

• plan meals ahead and buy only what is needed;
• reinvent leftovers into new meals;
• use their food caddy for unavoidable scraps such as peelings and cores.

Making better use of food not only reduces waste but also saves time and money, while helping to tackle climate change.

A wide range of practical advice and recipe ideas is available through the Love Food Hate Waste website:
https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/foods-and-recipes

Households can also order a free food waste caddy from the Isle of Wight Council via its website or by calling (01983) 823777.

Natasha Dix, service director for waste, environment and planning, said: “Food waste is not just an environmental issue; it is an economic and moral one.

“When households across the UK are collectively wasting billions of pounds’ worth of perfectly edible food each year, we all have a responsibility to act.

“Food Waste Action Week reminds us that meaningful change does not require grand gestures. Planning meals, using leftovers creatively and recycling unavoidable scraps are simple steps that, taken together, make a profound difference.

“If every household on the Isle of Wight makes small changes, the impact for our community and our environment will be significant.”