Derry and Strabane households urged to support Food Waste Action Week

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Ruairí McHugh, today encouraged local people to get behind this year’s campaign for Food Waste Action Week, running from March 9-15.

Led by Love Food Hate Waste, national and local governments, community groups, NGOs and brands around the world, the campaign calls for action on food waste. The week inspires simple, practical action that helps food go further, saving money, time and stress, while protecting the planet.

Food Waste Action Week’s theme this year is Make Your Food Go Further: for your pocket, for our planet. By preventing food waste, using up leftovers, and recycling anything that can’t be eaten, we can unlock more value from the food we already have by helping it to stretch further. 

Councillor McHugh urged people to be more conscious of the amount they are putting in their bin, and how to make food go further. “Food Waste Action Week is a great reminder that small changes in our everyday habits can make a big difference, both for our household budgets and for the environment. At a time when many families are feeling the pressure of rising costs, making our food go further just makes sense.

“Simple steps such as planning meals, making a shopping list, storing food correctly and using up leftovers can help reduce the amount of good food that ends up in the bin. Not only does that save money, it also helps reduce the greenhouse gas emissions linked to wasted food.

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“I would encourage everyone across the Derry and Strabane district to get involved in Food Waste Action Week, try some of the practical tips being shared by Council and think about how we can all make better use of the food we buy. By working together we can reduce waste, save money and do our bit to protect the planet.”

In the UK, 60% of food waste happens in our homes. Each year, households throw away 4.4 million tonnes of edible food, worth £17.5 billion, creating 16 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions

For a family of four, that’s around £1,000 wasted every year, that’s around £83 per week according to Love Food Hate Waste.

Waste and Recycling Officer with Council, Julie Hannaway, said small changes can make a big difference. “At a time of rising costs and climate pressure, reducing food waste is one of the fastest, simplest ways to support households and cut emissions through a few simple changes that give back both to your pocket and our planet.  

“Things like making shopping lists, only buying what you need and planning your meals all help when trying to reduce food waste. For example, if you know you’re going to get a takeaway or go out for dinner, don’t buy food for that meal when out shopping. And unavoidable waste, like tea bags and egg shells, place these in your brown food bin.”

Every day during Food Waste Action Week there will be helpful tips shared on Council’s social media channels on Facebook & Instagram. For more info visit www.derrystrabane.com/recycling.