As Food Waste Action Week approaches, we need to confront an uncomfortable truth – in the UK, we throw away around 9.5 million tonnes of food each year, says Martin Cooper.
But it isn’t just about wasted meals – it represents squandered resources, unnecessary environmental damage, and lost household income.
The average UK family discards nearly £730 worth of perfectly edible food each year.
Meanwhile, food production accounts for around 30 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Every apple that rots in a bin, every half-eaten meal scraped into the waste, and every forgotten vegetable wilting in the back of our fridges contributes to this mounting crisis.
Food waste occurs at every stage of the supply chain, but households are responsible for more than 70 per cent of UK food waste post-production.
This presents us with both a challenge and an opportunity – our individual actions can make a significant difference.
Beyond the environmental impact, reducing food waste makes economic sense. As living costs continue to rise, minimising waste stretches family budgets further.
It’s also a matter of social responsibility when food poverty affects millions across our country and the world.
But there are ways you can reduce your food waste:
1. Plan your meals and shop with a list
Know what you already have, plan meals for the week, and shop with a detailed list. This simple habit prevents impulse purchases and means you’ll only buy what you need.
2. Master food storage
Learn which foods belong in the fridge, freezer, or cupboard. Store fruits and vegetables correctly to extend freshness – for example, keep potatoes and onions separate, and store herbs in water like flowers.
3. Understand date labels
‘Use by’ indicates when food becomes unsafe to eat, while ‘best before’ is about quality, not safety. Many foods remain perfectly edible beyond their best before date – use your senses to judge.
4. Embrace leftovers
Transform yesterday’s roast into today’s sandwich filling or tomorrow’s soup. Keep a ‘use soon’ shelf in your fridge for foods nearing their use-by dates.
5. Compost unavoidable waste
When food waste is unavoidable, composting returns nutrients to the soil rather than sending them to landfill, where they generate methane.
This Food Waste Action Week, we can all commit to making these small changes part of our daily routines, and together, we can contribute to a more sustainable food system – saving money, protecting our environment, and ensuring resources are used more responsibly.
Food Waste Action Week takes place between March 17-23.
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