57% of all food waste could have been managed and sorted better, according to the figures, which highlight that 8% of the food we throw away is still within its displayed expiry date. Up to 23% of the food thrown away every year is still in its packaging or whole.
In a move designed to help families to enjoy the food they buy, save money and help save the planet, the Scottish Government has unveiled the next phase of its Go Greener campaign, which will use radio, outdoor and online advertising to highlight that the average family could save up to £400 a year on their food bills by making use of the food that they would otherwise throw away.
“The figures on the financial value of how much we waste are staggering, and particularly relevant with Scotland in recession,” said Richard Lochhead, Environment Secretary. “There’s an environmental cost to wasted food ending up as landfill, releasing methane – a powerful greenhouse gas – which shouldn’t be underestimated. There are a number of easy ways to save food from the bin, including proper storage, thinking about portion sizes, planning meals and using leftovers to make another meal.”
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