Food waste
Why it matters
The average family could save £83 every month - around £1,000 a year - simply by wasting less food. That’s money staying in your pocket instead of being thrown in the bin.
When we waste food, we’re not just wasting money. We’re also wasting all the energy, water, land and packaging that went into growing, transporting and storing it. Every loaf of bread, every forgotten salad, every plate of leftovers has a hidden cost to the planet.
The good news is that food waste is one of the easiest problems to fix. With smarter planning, better shopping habits, and simple storage tricks, households can make food last longer, eat more of what they buy, and cut waste dramatically.
What is food waste?
Food waste is any edible food that ends up in the bin instead of being eaten. It often happens when:
- too much is bought and not used in time
- food isn’t stored properly and spoils
- too much is cooked or served
- leftovers aren’t used up.
How to cut your food waste
A few simple habits can help reduce waste, save money and protect the environment:
- Plan ahead – check cupboards and fridges before shopping and write a list.
- Create a meal plan – planning meals around what you already have helps avoid waste and makes writing your shopping list easier. AI tools can be a great way to quickly generate meal plans and recipe ideas based on what’s in your fridge.
- Shop smart – avoid impulse buys and only buy what you need: stick to the list!
- Store properly – freeze food before it passes its “use by” date and keep items in the right place to stay fresher for longer.
- Cook the right amount – use portion planners to avoid making too much.
- Love your leftovers – turn extras into lunches, soups or new meals.
- Keep a food diary – track what gets thrown away to spot habits you can change.
- Share surplus food – apps like Olio connect you with neighbours who can use food you won’t.
- Rescue food – apps like Too Good To Go help save unsold meals from restaurants and shops.
- Try wonky veg – services like Oddbox deliver perfectly good fruit and vegetables rejected by supermarkets.
Brown bin today - Green container from March 2026
Until 30 March 2026, residents can recycle food waste in their brown bin, along with garden waste. You can check all details on our brown bin page.
From 31 March 2026, a new weekly green food waste bin will be introduced. At that point, brown bins will be used for garden waste only. You can learn about the new food waste collection on the green container: food waste page.
Love Food Hate Waste
The national initiative Love Food Hate Waste has tools and tips to help every household reduce food waste, including:
- portion planners
- food storage guides
- recipes for leftovers.