Research carried out in Hertfordshire found most of the food thrown away was edible food - not peelings and eggshells, but food that could have been eaten if it was managed differently. It is estimated that households could save up to £720 a year, the equivalent of £60 a month, by reducing the amount of food that is thrown away.

As well as saving money, reducing food waste also helps tackle climate change. When we waste food, we also waste the energy and water used to grow, harvest, transport and package the food. Wasted edible food generates around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, if food waste ends up in landfill and rots, it produces methane, which contributes to global warming.

#WorthSaving Campaign

We think both food and money are #WorthSaving, so we are supporting the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership’s aim to reduce food waste, found in general waste bins, by 20% before 2025, compared to 2020 levels.

It’s easy to give food waste the chop just by tweaking what we do across 4 Steps to Save:

1. Plan: check what you have

• Check your fridge and cupboards before shopping.
• Use what you already have to plan meals for the week.

2. Shop: buy what you need

• Use your meal plan as a basis for your shopping list.
• Stick to your shopping list and resist multi-buy bargains if you won’t eat it all.

3. Store: in the best way

• Storing food in the best way keeps it fresher for longer.
• Find out the best way to store different foods by using Love Food Hate Waste's Food Storage A-Z.

4. Eat: what you have

• Use a portion planner so you don’t cook too much.
• Eat leftovers the next day or use a recipe finder to create a tasty new dish.

Visit the Hertfordshire WasteAware website to find out more about the #WorthSaving campaign, sign up to the 5-week newsletter and have chances to win prizes.

If you would like copy of the Worth Saving, Food Waste Leaflet which includes the 4 Ways to Save, it is available to download and keep.