People across Bucks, Beds, and Herts urged to counter waste post-Christmas
On average in the UK, households spend around £700 on food that eventually gets chucked away
Last updated 26th Dec 2022
As people across Bucks, Beds, and Herts continue to recover from their Christmas meal, people are being encouraged to try and minimise the amount of waste they're producing.
On average in the UK, households spend around £700 on food that eventually gets chucked away and the festive period is a prime time for waste.
Avoidable food waste
Zoe Austin works in the environmental services teams at Central Bedfordshire Council.
"When we talk about food waste, we're talking about two different types of food waste.
"So you've got avoidable food waste, which is food that could have been eaten at some point before it was put in the bin. And we've also got unavoidable food, which is bits of food that we can't eat like fruit and vegetable peelings.
"But it's really the avoidable food waste that we're concerned about", she said.
"So when you're thinking about after the festive period ... your freezer is your friend. So having one or two packs of each food product chilling in the fridge and then the rest in the freezer before you make your meal.
"So anything that you don't get around to using is still in the freezer can be used safely another time, but also you can freeze leftovers and excess food as well", she adds.
What can and can't be frozen?
According to Zoe: "Before freezing, make sure to check the manufacturers guidance to see if the food item can be frozen.
"Most fruit and vegetables can be frozen and it's important to let any cooked food cool before freezing,
"Also, remember to write the date on the packaging before you put it in the freezer."
Other types of waste
But it's not just food waste that can cause an issue at Christmas. Excess packaging such as wrapping paper, gift bags, and other types can cause problems too.
But according to Zoe, for the most part, these things can be recycled or reused: "Wrapping paper can mostly widely be recycled in your recycling bin. You just have to make sure that it hasn't got any glitter on it and it's not been made with foil.
"So as long as it's not glitter on it and it's not got foil, then you can recycle it and put it in your recycling bin."
She adds: "If you used a reusable gift bag rather than paper wrap, that can be reused next year and the next."
New recipes
Finally, to help people waste as little as possible, people are being urged to check out the Love Food Hate Waste website for new recipes to help get rid of that leftover turkey in a new and delicious way.