Stop throwing money in the bin
Thousands of tonnes of perfectly good food are being thrown away in West Oxfordshire every year, much of it unopened, untouched and still safe to eat.
As Food Waste Action Week begins from 9 to 15 March, West Oxfordshire District Council is urging residents to take simple steps to cut waste, save money and make full use of the weekly food waste recycling service.
A recent review of household black/grey bins revealed a stark picture. More than a quarter of what’s inside is food waste that should have been put out for separate collection, and almost 90% of that food could have been eaten.
That’s more than 3,000 tonnes of wasted food every year across the district, the equivalent of around 250 full refuse lorry loads.
Even more striking, over half of the edible food being binned is still in its original packaging. Some of it has never even been opened.
Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, Executive Member for Environment, said: “We know households are under real pressure from rising costs. When you throw away good food, you’re throwing away your money too.
“These figures show just how much of that waste is completely avoidable. Food that was still fresh. Food that could have been frozen. Food that could have been eaten.
“By planning meals, storing food properly and using your food waste caddy each week, residents can make a real difference to their household budgets and to the environment.”
The Council collects more than 300 tonnes of food waste every month and gives it a second life. It is taken to an anaerobic digestion plant near Cassington, where it is broken down naturally in a sealed system. The process produces biogas that helps power homes, heat buildings and fuel transport. It also creates a nutrient rich fertiliser that supports local farming and land regeneration. Nothing goes to waste.
Every time residents use their food waste caddy, they are helping to create renewable energy, support local agriculture and reduce the amount sent to landfill. It is a simple weekly habit that delivers real environmental benefits for West Oxfordshire.
Small changes at home can have a big impact. Plan meals, check use by dates, freeze leftovers. Use your kitchen caddy and put your food waste out every week.
Don’t let good food go to waste. Order your food waste caddy today and start saving.