In Scotland we’re wasting a fifth of the food we buy every year – most of which could have been avoided.
Not only does wasting food cost money but it’s also bad for the environment.
Every year we throw away 630,000 tonnes of food and drink, costing Scots over £1billion annually.
A new Scottish Government campaign is encouraging people across the country to reduce their food waste, to help save cash and the environment.
By making a few small changes to cut your food waste you could save on average around £470 a year – which is an average of £40 a month from your food bills.
Environment Secretary, Richard Lochhead said: “If we used up all the food and drink we currently waste, it would cut carbon emissions equal to taking one in four cars off Scotland’s roads.
“We all waste food without thinking, but by shopping smarter and wasting less we can save money and help create a greener, cleaner Scotland now and for the future.”
The best thing we can all do is to prevent food waste. Things like checking cupboards and fridge before a food shop and making a shopping list can really help. If you’re tempted by multi-buy offers, make sure you can freeze or share the extra items if you can’t use them up in time.
But if you do have food you have to throw away, the message is clear – recycle it using your local food waste collection service where possible or you compost it.
To help Borderers make more informed choices, a food waste roadshow will be at Tesco in Galashiels on March 18, and Sainsbury’s in Kelso on March 19.