MORE than 11.5 million potatoes are still thrown away by UK households over the Christmas period, with waste management companies, local authorities and more joining the call consumers to help reduce this figure.
Potatoes, along with cooked leftovers (homemade/pre-prepared meals), and bread top the UK’s wasted food table, according to most recent statistics from WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme).
Its data shows that an average 2.9 million whole potatoes were thrown away in the UK every day last year and the amount increased dramatically over Christmas, representing a financial loss to households and an unnecessary input into landfill.
WRAP CEO Harriet Lamb said: “Christmas is the perfect time to show the environment some love. To help make Circular Living* become the norm in every home, we can all learn from our nans – shop like your nan, cook like your nan, fold up and keep wrapping paper for next year – that generation never wasted anything. They made soups from leftovers, sewed on new buttons, bought just what they needed and made things last. These are valuable lessons to help us all have festive fun while caring for the environment.”
Waste Managed‘s Steve Traviss is amongst those calling for more sustainable consumer practices.
“At Waste Managed, we’re passionate about helping individuals and businesses reduce their environmental footprint—not just during the holidays but throughout the year.Let’s make this Christmas not only memorable but meaningful for our environment as well,” he said.
Local government members also continue to campaign for better food management over Christmas.
In its online campaign, Caerphilly County Borough Council recently stated: “Did you know 11.3 million roast potatoes are thrown away each year on Christmas Day? Don’t forget to make a list and check it twice when you go shopping and reduce your food waste this Christmas. For unavoidable food waste, don’t forget to recycle everything you can.”
North London Waste Authority has also highlighted that potatoes are the most wasted food item in the UK and says much of the waste could be avoided if people made better-informed choices.
“Fifty-six per cent is wasted due to personal choice to leave parts of the potato, such as skins on a jacket potato, 25% of potatoes are not used in time, and 17% is from cooking or serving too much,” the organisation states. “Small changes in the way we store, cook and purchase potatoes can have a big impact. Storing potatoes correctly can mean they last weeks not days- just keep them somewhere with good ventilation and away from other foods, especially onions.”
Too Good To Go, an app which helps Brits buy food from restaurants and cafes that would otherwise be thrown away for a small cost, has also been sharing good practice advice urging consumers to think before they bin potatoes over the Christmas period.
Photo: CottonBro Studio
