Here in Wales we’re proud recyclers, and that’s made us the third best recyclers in the world. But we want to do even better and the thing we’re zooming in on is food waste!
Food waste comes at a cost
While most of us know that food waste goes in its own little caddy, and a WRAP survey revealed that 90% of us agree that it should never go in the rubbish bin, the fact is that a quarter of our rubbish bins are still made up of food.
Not only does all this uneaten food add up to a whopping 110,000 tonnes going to waste a year – the equivalent of 3,300 double decker buses full – but it’s also costing the average household £49 a month. That’s right – by fighting food waste, you’re giving your wallet a break as well as helping the planet! And with 75% of us worried about the cost of living at the moment, that’s got to be worth doing.
Set yourself the challenge of making your food go further by:
● Using up all the food you buy
● Recycling the bits you can’t eat
Cllr Terry Evans, Lead Member for Environment, said: “We’re happy to add our support to the Be Mighty. Recycle. campaign, and we’ll be sharing information which shows how you can reduce your food waste, how inedible food can be recycled, as well as offering advice on making the most from the food you buy. The small changes we make can add up and make a big difference, so please play your part in this recycling initiative.”
Elevate your meals with remaining foods from your fridge
No matter how carefully we plan, sometimes the unexpected happens and we’re left having to ‘wing it’ to make sure nothing goes to waste. See it as a creative challenge and use it as an excuse to level up your meals in record time!
For example, why not make an omelette even better by adding in meat and veggies that need using up, or create an even more epic cheese toastie by adding that last slice or two of ham? Over-ripe fruit works brilliantly to boost the flavour and nutritional value of your porridge, yogurt and smoothies, too. Delicious, healthy, quick, money-saving – you can’t go wrong with that!
It’s easy to Be Mighty!
Follow these top tips and you’ll find that recycling your food waste actually creates fewer smells and is more hygienic than putting it in the bin:
• Use a caddy liner
• Empty it regularly
• Avoid liquids
• Give it a good clean with detergent every couple of weeks
You can also join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #BeMightyRecycle – why not share your favourite food-saving tips?
What goes in your food caddy?
If you want a quick catch up on the things you should be putting in your caddy, then you’ve come to the right place.
As well as everything you will already know about, take a look at this list some of the foods you mightn’t necessarily think of, such as:
o Out of date foods
o Bones and carcasses
o Egg shells
o Teabags
o Banana peelings (and other peelings)
o Apple cores
o Coffee granules
o Raw foods
o Mouldy foods
o Plate scrapings
o Uneaten ready meals
o Fast food (e.g. chips and pizzas)
o Shellfish
Things that we don’t want you to try and recycle as food waste are liquids (such as oil or milk), packaging, plastic bags, nappies or garden waste.
Help us do better, and find out more by visiting wrexham.gov.uk/recycling
Tiny Forests, massive benefits for Wrexham – Wrexham Council News
When are my bins collected? Check your bin day and sign up for reminders.
