A campaign has been launched aimed at encouraging people in Gloucestershire to reduce their food waste, save money and help the environment.

The campaign, called ‘Food Waste – It All Adds Up’, will highlight how residents can reduce their food waste and recycle their leftovers.

It has been launched by the Gloucestershire Resources and Waste Partnership, which includes the county council and the six district councils, and will show how the average UK family could save £83 per month, around £1,000 per year, by saving food from the bin.

The campaign will highlight how to reduce food waste throughout the year, providing general tips to make the most of the food we buy and save money along the way. 

The waste team will be using various methods to do this, including talking about food waste and how to get the most out of food waste. 

They will also be sending an informative food waste recycling booklet to households, promoting a video to showcase what happens to your food waste and giving residents the opportunity to take part in low waste cookery courses. 

Educational, low waste cookery courses will be run in each of the six districts by Wiggly Worm, a small Gloucestershire-based charity, which offers cookery tuition and activities.

Further low waste cookery sessions are also being planned in conjunction with the county council’s adult education team.

Any food waste that can’t be avoided can be put into food caddies for recycling, which is made into gas, to power our homes, and fertiliser for growing food. Many people in Gloucestershire already recycle food waste, but more people are being encouraged to use their caddies to help reduce the harmful impacts of not doing so.

For more information on the campaign go to gloucestershirerecycles.com/food

Cllr David Gray, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “I would encourage residents to try some of the tips and suggestions in this campaign to reduce their food waste and recycle leftovers. It’s a great way to save money whilst also helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.”

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