SURVEY REVEALS SHOCKING WASTAGE FOR ITEMS THAT COULD EASILY BE FROZEN IF UNUSED
POTATOES are the sixth most commonly-disposed of essential food in the UK, equating to a wastage of £46.16 a year per household, a new survey has revealed.
More than 3,000 people were questioned in the survey by electrical retailer AO.com, which revealed that the average British consumer bins £450 worth of freezable essential foods a year, with potatoes being thrown away every two to three weeks.
Those who responded to the survey admitted to struggling to eat food before it goes out of date, with the average British consumer spending £85.72 on their weekly grocery shop – before throwing away 10% of the items bought.
The most common food essentials thrown out by Brits in the UK are as follows:
- Fruit and veg – £5.24 a week from grocery shop, £272.48 per year
Thrown out 53 times a year on average (over once a week)
- Breads – £1.40 a week, £72.80 per year
Thrown out 51 times a year on average (once a week)
- Milk – £0.65 a week, £33.80 per year
Thrown out 47 times a year on average (every 10 days)
- Meat and fish – £4.80 a week, £249.60 per year
Thrown out 43 times a year on average (every 10-12 days)
- Yoghurt – £0.83 a week, £43.16 per year
Thrown out 41 times a year on average (every 12-14 days)
- Potatoes – £0.89 a week, £46.28 per year
Thrown out 38 times a year (every 14-18 days)
- Stock – £0.25 a week, £13 per year
Thrown out 37 times a year (every 2-3 weeks)
- Cheese – £2.08 a week, £108.42 per year
Thrown out 36 times a year (every 2-3 weeks)
- Eggs – £1.24 a week, £64.48 per year
Thrown out 36 times a year (every 2-3 weeks)
- Herbs – £1.25 a week, £65 per year
Thrown out 36 times a year (every 2-3 weeks)
The study found fruit and vegetables as the worst offending items, with Brits admitting to throwing them out most frequently throughout the week. With the estimated grocery spend on fruit and vegetables coming in at £5.24 a week, this tots up to £272.48 per year – or £21,798.40 in a lifetime.
Analysis from AO.com shows that common items that are ending up in the bin can easily be frozen to prolong shelf-life, and could save Brits on average £450 a year – the equivalent of an entire average monthly food shop.
Food Storage Expert at AO.com, Sarah Heap, said: “In the wake of the cost-of-living crisis, the findings that Brits are binning the equivalent of a month’s worth of food every year is really shocking, especially when this figure equates to more than the average UK salary in a person’s lifetime.
“However, our study found that many of the essential food items that are ending up in the bin could actually be saved. By portioning out these items at the start of the week and filling up the freezer, Brits could save money and reduce their food waste.
“Technology also has its role to play in helping us to live more sustainably, and it’s important people make the most of the way they store foods to prolong shelf life. For example, all the items listed in our survey can be frozen – such as bread, cheese, stock and potatoes – if prepared in the right way first.”
In light of the findings, AO.com has partnered with influencer Kate Hall, known as The Full Freezer, to help Brits make the most of food storage options and reduce waste in their households. A new ‘cooling’ and refrigeration hub will also be launched later this month, to help Brits with expert hacks and helpful advice, as well as inspirational content.
Source: AO.com
