Skip To Content
Together for Surrey Master Logo WHITE AND COLOUR
0

Reduce food waste

Food waste is a huge problem. In Guildford alone, 50,000 slices of bread are wasted every day (Zero Carbon Guildford), which is enough to provide three sandwiches per day for the number of people struggling with the cost of living.

Food waste is also a major contributor to climate change, as it decomposes, it creates methane, a greenhouse gas that is about 30 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide (CO₂). If food waste were a country, it would be the 3rd largest emissions producer.

About one-third of food grown never even makes it off the farm, in part due to the aesthetics rules of supermarkets.

Addressing your habits around food waste is a great way to contribute to social and environmental progress in Surrey. By doing so, you will bring positive changes into your life through:

  • Saving money: Reducing food waste at home through good meal planning, portion sizing, and freezing can significantly cut the amount of money you throw into your food bin.
  • Mitigating climate change: By properly disposing of organic waste, you can reduce methane emissions from landfills, helping to mitigate climate change and its negative impacts.
  • Making your garden healthier: Start composting and make your own feed for the garden. This will provide the rich nutrients that your plants need to grow.
  • Fostering community engagement: Initiatives like community fridges, food-sharing apps, and food banks thrive when we all pitch in to reduce waste. These actions foster a sense of community and shared responsibility.
  • Adopting healthier eating habits: Planning meals and being mindful of food use often leads to healthier eating. Cooking more at home and making better food choices improve our overall diet and well-being.