ReFood has said that every kilo of food thrown into general waste releases greenhouse gases considered 21 times more damaging to the environment than CO2.
Richard Poskitt, head of supply chain/commercial at ReFood, has suggested that households should shop wisely, plan their meals, use their leftovers and freeze what’s left.
For unavoidable food waste – including shells, bones and gristle – Poskitt said to utilise kerbisde food waste recycling collections, if provided by the local council.
He said: “Food waste is a significant problem in the UK, especially around Christmas time. In December alone, more than 4.5 million tonnes of food is thrown away, almost 30% higher than at any other time of the year.
“The vast majority goes to waste on Christmas Day itself, with households panic buying in bulk to feed hungry visitors, yet actually eating significantly less than they purchase. This year alone, we’re expecting to see more than five million Christmas puddings, two million turkeys and 74 million mince pies simply thrown in the bin. The scale of the situation is frightening.
“However, with a little pre-planning and proactivity, we can collectively tackle the issue head-on. Firstly, it’s important to plan your Christmas food shop to prevent unnecessary over purchasing. Next, plan your Christmas dinner to ensure you only buy what you really need. Use your leftovers wherever possible and freeze what you can’t eat. Finally, if you have a kerbside food waste recycling collection – use it!
“One of the biggest challenges we face at Christmas is unnecessary waste. But, with a few simple changes, we can make a massive difference.”
If you’d like to learn more about food waste, you can purchase tickets for our Food Waste Conference here, which is taking place on 6th March 2025 in London. Visit the link for further information on the agenda.
Subscribe for free