LOCALS are being offered advice on how to reduce their food waste and recycle their leftovers ahead of the festive period.

The county council and Gloucestershire’s six district authorities have launched a new campaign called ‘Food Waste - It All Adds Up’, which aims to reduce the impact of food waste on the environment and help people to save money on their food and energy costs.

The county council’s waste team will be out and about chatting to residents during the campaign about how to get the most out of their food purchases.

The council says around 55,000 tonnes of domestic food waste was created in the county last year, and 137,500 tonnes of CO2 are created producing and transporting this food.

That roughly equates to the same amount of CO2 as taking 12 per cent of Gloucestershire’s cars off the road for a year.

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 help reduce our carbon footprint.

“Reducing and recycling food waste is a great way to save money and help the environment.”

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