One aspect of Approved Food’s work that often escapes peoples notice, and it’s understandable that low prices and best before dates grab the attention, are the huge environmental benefits caused by a reduction in food being wasted.
Research suggests that 61% of us are worried about the environmental impact of our food purchases.
Whether you are driven by a concern over global warming, you want to protect the planet for future generations or you just have a passing interest in green issues the facts and figures make compelling reading.
Food to Landfill
Until recently goods that had gone past their best before dates would have been consigned to the rubbish bin. That junk would have then been transported to landfill sites where every tonne of wasted food and drink generates 6.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
As much as 20 million tonnes of food and drink is thrown away each year and around half of that is chucked out of our own homes. That waste heads off to the landfill sites to create around 18 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, the equivalent to the emissions from four million family cars.
About 5.2 million tonnes of wasted food and drink could have been safely consumed. The food waste is worth £12 billion a year, which if it wasn’t heading for the bin would save the average UK family around £680 a year. I know I could do with that!
Packaging
People moan continuously about too much packaging, yet we throw far more food and drink away from our homes than the packaging it came in.
In our domestic residences we waste food, but between them the hotels, pubs and restaurants of the nation could save £724 million a year by getting their acts together and tackling food waste too.
Why is Food Wasted?
It appears that food is wasted for two reasons.
Most of us have eyes bigger than our bellies, or we don’t plan mealtimes properly, and therefore we prepare more than we can eat. The other reason is we don’t use the food within the dates on the labels.
Between 2006 and 2010 the amount of food being wasted has reduced by 13% or a million tonnes.
This is because people have less money in times of recession so are buying the amounts of food they genuinely require, rather than what they think they can cram into their overworked pie holes. But it’s also because people are increasingly clued up on best before dates. You can read all about the best before dates here on the Approved Food website.
Other Concerns
It’s not just at the end of food’s life that it can impact on the environment.
Producing, distributing, storing and cooking food uses energy, fuel and water. Each of these emits greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. When so much has gone into getting that food into your cupboard going on to throw it in the bin is even more costly.
What are Supermarkets doing?
In the interest of balance The British Retail Consortium, representing the major UK supermarkets, said supermarkets have “adopted a range of approaches” to combat waste. Well they would say that wouldn’t they!? The proof will be on whether the pudding reaches a stomach and not a skip.
Expert Advice:
Celebrity chef Clarissa Dickson-Wright suggests: ‘In these cash-strapped days, more than ever, we should trust our instincts, avoid the rubbish bin and enjoy the food on which we have spent our hard-earned cash.’
Well there’s good news Clarissa. At Approved Food you can preserve your hard earned money and save the planet at the same time.
JAMES BUTTLER
All figures courtesy of WRAP and www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
