Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is calling on residents to ‘shop smartly’ this week and feel the financial benefits.
They have teamed up with Waste Awareness Wales to mark the European Week of Waste Reduction by challenging shoppers to see how much they can save by buying only what they need and using everything they can.
All across Europe local authorities, community groups, schools and work places are holding their own activities to show people how easy it is to reduce the amount of waste they throw away. With Christmas just a month away, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Waste Awareness Wales are concentrating on helping people save money by reducing their food waste.
Most people throw food away, even if they don’t always realise. A typical family spends £12 every week on food that will never be eaten.
That’s £12 that many families can ill-afford, which is why the Council is backing Waste Awareness Wales’ campaign to get people to throw away less.
The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Frontline Services Cllr Anthony Christopher said: “Like many people, I didn’t think I wasted any food. It’s only when I started learning more from Waste Awareness Wales that I realised just how much the average person throws away, and how much money that amounts to.
“Times are tough at the moment for many people, but small changes can make a difference. By planning your shopping more carefully and following a few simple tips you can give your household budget a boost, which is why I am challenging everyone in Rhondda Cynon Taf to shop smartly and save.”
Waste Awareness Wales’ Georgina Taubman said: “When food waste is buried in landfill it decomposes and gives off methane, which is a greenhouse gas 23 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide. Of course recycling food waste helps, but it is absurd that we are throwing away food in the first place.
“Thankfully, by shopping smart – writing shopping lists, planning meals, avoiding being enticed by multi-buys – we can make a huge difference, to the environment and to our pockets. That’s why I’m calling on Rhondda Cynon Taf’s residents to get involved and see how much they can save during the European Week of Waste Reduction.”
Tips include:
- Check your cupboards, fridge and freezer before you shop, so you know exactly what you need. Write a list and stick to it, and don’t shop if you’re hungry. If you’re always tempted when you’re in the shop try ordering groceries on the internet instead.
- If you live on your own think about finding a ‘shopping buddy’. That way you can take turns with the driving, and you can take advantage of BOGOFs (buy one get one free) and multi-packs without food going to waste. Talk to colleagues, friends or relatives about sharing shopping, or do a favour for an elderly neighbour.
- Learn the label lingo and don’t through ‘old’ food away without good reason. ‘Best before’ means just that, so with the exception of eggs food past the best before date should be safe to eat; ‘Sell by’ is exactly the same; only food that’s past its ‘Use by’ date should be considered unsafe and thrown away.
- Don’t forget your freezer. Keep it at the correct temperatures, and take advantage of it to store leftovers. Label everything before you put it in (with date and what it is), and you’ll have a whole new source of cheap and convenient eats.
- Love leftover lunches. Shop-bought sandwiches can cost a fortune and often come with lots of packaging and too much salt and fat. By taking last night’s leftovers as a packed lunch to school or work you can save a fortune, and you know exactly what you’re eating.”
