Help the environment, reduce food waste

A new campaign has been launched aimed at ending Britain's wasteful attitude towards food.

A third of all food bought in Britain's High Streets - even though perfectly edible - ends up in the bin, according to the organisers.

Reducing food waste will reduce your carbon footprint The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) claims that 6.7 tonnes of food is thrown out with the rubbish at an estimated cost of £8bn per year.

The 'Love Food Hate Waste' campaign aimed at raising consumers' awareness of waste is supported by the Government and will be backed by celebrity chefs and a website which will offer practical advice.

"It is sad that so much food is being wasted needlessly" explains Dr Liz Goodwin, WRAP chief executive. "At a cost of £8 billion a year, it's a serious issue that not only impacts the environment but our pockets too".

"Our research showed that 90 per cent of consumers are completely unaware of the amount of food they throw away. Once attention is drawn to it however, we know that people are surprised and keen to take action."

Food waste has a serious impact on the environment because most of it ends in landfill where it decays and produces the potent greenhouse gas methane. There is also the embedded energy costs of producing, packaging and transporting the food which WRAP claims produces the equivalent of at least 15 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.