The environmental impact of food waste
Waste accounts for around 42% of East Ayrshire Council’s carbon footprint and this includes domestic and commercial waste collected and disposed of by the Council.
To address this, we need our local businesses and residents to reduce the amount of waste they produce, whilst increasing the percentage of waste that is recycled and diverted from RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel).
When food waste ends up in RDF, it releases carbon dioxide which is one of the most damaging greenhouse gases. This means food waste is having a significant impact on the climate emergency.
Did you know?
Did you know that:
- in East Ayrshire last year we disposed of 2,970 tonnes of food waste
- in East Ayrshire, 6,617 tonnes of food are sent to RDF each year
- almost 4,897 tonnes of the food sent to RDF is edible, with just 26% of food waste being unavoidable
- in our Cleaner Communities review, we analysed the composition of our waste and found that East Ayrshire households throw away approximately 4,897 tonnes of edible food
- 30% of the weight of the waste in residual (green) waste bins comprised of avoidable or unavoidable food waste, such as out of date/unopened food packets
- the average family is throwing away £38 of food each month, which is £456 a year
- in some communities, up to 50% of people aren't using their food caddy and are sending all their food waste to RDF
- 74% is avoidable food waste (4,897 tonnes per year) such as out of date/unopened food packets
- through our Climate Change Strategy we are aiming to increase food waste participation across East Ayrshire
Avoiding food waste
Avoiding food waste is the best way to ensure you are not wasting money or resources. The simplest ways of avoiding food waste include:
- planning
- shopping
- storing
- cooking
Planning meals, shopping smart, cooking waste free, using recipes for leftovers and storing food correctly all lead to reducing food waste and saving money.
How to save food
Planning your meals
Write a list and plan what you're going to cook for the week before you head to the shops. By planning your meals and portions ahead of time, you will only buy what you need and what you will eat.
If you feel tempted to buy a bargain in store that's not on your list, think about whether the item can be used, frozen or stored for a later date.
Storage
Check the labels to see if your item needs to be kept in the refrigerator, freezer or cupboard. Storing food correctly will help it last longer.
Find out more about food storage at Love Food Hate Waste: Foods and recipes where you can search an A to Z of food using the ‘food’ filter.
Cooking
Cook only what you need, or save leftover ingredients for another meal.
Food waste campaign
The Scottish Government, in partnership with Zero Waste Scotland, has launched a new food waste campaign to:
- increase the number of Scottish households proactively recycling their food waste
- encourage more households to proactively reduce their food waste
- increase the awareness of the environmental and personal benefits of reducing and recycling food waste
- demonstrate the magnitude of food waste sent to landfill and its role in climate change
- to direct people to Scottish Government: Net Zero Scotland for tips on reducing and recycling food waste
Zero Waste Scotland's recycling sorter
Visit the Zero Waste Scotland: Recycling sorter for any local authority in Scotland.
Composting and your bins
Find out about:
Food waste resources