UK households waste 6.5 million tonnes of food every year; in fact, around one-third of all food produced globally is either lost or wasted.
Food waste also makes up around half of global food system carbon emissions, a known contributor to global warming and climate change which in turn impacts our ability to grow food sustainably.
While the UK has reduced food waste by almost half a million tonnes between 2015 and 2018 – UK households still waste 4.5 million tonnes of food that could have been eaten.
What can you do today to reduce your food waste?
Reducing food waste isn’t only good for the planet, saving food can also save you money. On average, a typical family throws away £60 worth of food every month.
By planning meals before you go shopping and using up more of the food you have means you can reduce the amount of food you throw away and need to buy.
For some great tips on how you can reduce food waste visit Love Food, Hate Waste.
Eating sustainably
The global impact of livestock on emissions makes up more than 14% of all man-made greenhouse gases, including methane.
You can consider a plant-based diet as an option or going meat-free for a variety of reasons. These could include concerns about animal welfare, the environment, health benefits, or simply personal preference.
It is important to note that whilst plant-based diets can support a healthy living, you should always plan your plant-based eating to meet your nutritional needs. For example, vitamin B12, an essential nutrient in the human body, is not readily available in most plants and will often require additional supplements or fortified foods such as breakfast cereals.