Catherine Cannell, Sustainability Officer at Anchor, shares simple ways to reduce food waste

For Stop Food Waste Day, Catherine shares how small changes at home can make a big difference.

With simpler recycling regulations being introduced across the country, we want to support our residents to reduce waste. One of the easiest ways to do this is by cutting down on food waste at home.

By making a few small changes to everyday habits, we can all reduce the amount of food we throw away. Not only does this help lower our environmental impact, but it can also help reduce household costs and encourage us to get creative in the kitchen.

Stop Food Waste Day is a global campaign that raises awareness of the environmental impact of food waste, including the energy used to produce food that is never eaten. It’s a reminder that we can all play a part in making a difference.

In the UK, around a third of food bought is wasted - that’s approximately 6.6 million tonnes each year. When food ends up in landfill, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

There are lots of simple ways we can all help reduce food waste at home:

• Plan meals in advance and only buy what you need 
• Store food correctly to help it last longer 
• Freeze leftovers to use another day 
• Get creative with ingredients that need using up 
• Consider buying seasonal or “wonky” fruit and vegetables 
• Use food-sharing apps or support local foodbanks 

Recently, I made some fresh pasta using flour that was close to its expiry date. It only needed a few ingredients and turned out really well. It’s also a great reminder that using up what we already have can be both simple and enjoyable.

Small changes like these can make a big difference over time.

To find out more about Stop Food Waste Day, visit stopfoodwasteday.com.

Catherine Cannell is a Sustainability Officer at Anchor