Derby City Council has teamed up with Love Food Hate Waste for this year's Food Waste Action Week, running from Monday 17 to Sunday 23 March, to encourage residents to reduce their food waste and save money. Every year, a staggering 9.5 million tonnes of food ends up in the bin – wasting money and valuable resources. Food Waste Action Week is the flagship annual event delivered by WRAP’s Love Food Hate Waste, providing households with simple, practical ways to cut food waste at home.
This year’s campaign highlights the benefits of buying loose fruit and vegetables – helping people purchase only what they need, reduce food waste, and unnecessary plastic packaging. With food waste costing the average family of four around £1,000 per year, small changes like this can make a huge difference. By adopting these measures, households can reduce waste, save money, and contribute to a more sustainable food system.
Jackie Bailey, Senior Campaign Manager Love Food Hate Waste, said:
We know buying loose fruit and veg has the potential to significantly cut the amount of food ending up in the bin – now is the time for retailers and shoppers to make that a reality. Increasing loose fruit and veg offerings in store will not only reduce hard to recycle plastics, it will also enable shoppers to buy closer to their needs, slashing waste and stopping tens of thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Public Safety and Leisure said:
As a Council, we recognise the importance of reducing food waste and encourage everyone in Derby to take part in this campaign. With budgets tighter than ever, every penny saved makes a difference. Choosing loose fruit and vegetables not only helps cut costs but also reduces plastic waste and supports environmental protection, benefiting the whole community.
The Food Waste Action Week runs from 17 to 23 March 2025 and if you want to find out more, you can visit the WRAP’s Love Food Hate Waste websiteOpens in new tab.