(Richard Lochhead MSP and a food-waste saving family)

The Scottish Government has this week (3 February) launched a new national drive to reduce the amount of household food waste sent to landfill, and help householders save money.

According to the government, 630,000 tonnes of food waste is thrown away annually by Scotland, equivalent to £1 billion. However, by reducing the amount of food waste created (and recycling that which cannot be salvaged), the government says families can save around £40 a month, amounting to £470 a year.

The push comes just one month after new waste regulations came into force in Scotland (making it compulsory for all businesses in Scotland to recycle key materials, including food), and comes ahead of a proposed 2020 landfill ban for food waste.

Reduction tips

As part of the national campaign, the Scottish Government is promoting food waste reduction tips via the Greener Scotland website, television advertising, media engagement, and through social media. It also aims to develop ‘partnerships’ with major retailers to help cut waste.

Householders visiting Greener Scotland, or attending one of the roadshows that will be visiting every authority in Scotland, will learn tips to reduce their food waste.

These include:

• knowing what food is already in the house, and what is needed;
• checking all cupboards for food before shopping;
• making meal plans so only food that is needed in bought;
• reading food labels and learning the difference between ‘use by’, ‘best before’, and ‘sell by’ dates; and
• recycling everything possible.

The Scottish Government is also calling on householders to use their local recycling service, as over half (53 per cent) of all Scottish households now have access to a food waste collection scheme. Those who don’t are urged to compost their waste.

Speaking of the drive, Scottish 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 making a few small changes, we can make a big difference to our budgets and the environment. By shopping smarter and wasting less we can save money and help create a greener, cleaner Scotland now and for the future.”

Iain Gulland, Director of Zero Waste Scotland (and winner of Resource’s 2013 Hot 100 list), added: “We’re seeing a really positive change in attitudes to food waste across the country. We want to continue building on this, raising awareness of the environmental and economic impact of food waste and offering practical advice to help householders waste less and save money.

“Food waste that cannot be used or avoided is easily recycled or composted. Over half of households across the country now have access to food recycling services and councils are continuing to roll these out in towns and cities nationwide. Recycling food waste can also generate renewable energy and be turned into a fertiliser to benefit Scottish farmers.”

The food waste problem is not limited to Scotland however, as according to the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), around half of the 4.3 million tonnes of food waste thrown away in the UK every year ‘goes straight from our fridges or cupboards to the bin’ without ever making it ‘onto our dinner plates’.

According to WRAP, buying too much food, a ‘lack of clarity’ around storage and labelling, and ‘over-estimating portions’ were found to be three of the most common reasons attributed to food wastage, which reportedly costs the average UK family (with children) around £60 a month (up from £50 a month in 2007).

Read more about reducing food waste or discover the problems of food waste.