Wasting food has a huge environmental impact – if we reduced the amount of food thrown away, it would save the equivalent of at least 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. That’s like taking 1 in every 4 cars off our roads.
Food waste is damaging to the environment because producing, storing and getting the food to our homes uses a lot of energy and resources – all of which are wasted when food gets thrown away in our rubbish bins. When most of this food reaches landfill sites it emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
We throw food out for two main reasons:
We let food go off
Food is either completely untouched, or opened/started but not finished, costing £6.7 billion per year. This equates to nearly a third of the food we buy, it's like buying three bags of shopping and giving one back.
We cook or prepare too much
This extra waste costs us around £4.8 billion per year.
Love your Leftovers competition
What do I need to Cook?
Each recipe should:
- Be a main dish made using leftover ingredients
- Include 2 of your recommended 5-a-day
- Use at least one of the following ingredients: Potato, pasta, meat/fish, cooked vegetables or bread.
- Be low in fat and salt
What information do I need to send?
- The name of your dish
- A picture of your finished dish
- Your name address and contact telephone number
When do I need to enter by?
Entries must be received by Friday 26th February 2012
Send all entries to:
Love Food Hate Waste Competition
Waste Management
Newarkand Sherwood District Council
Brunel Drive
Newark
NG24 2EG