We need to save food from the bin by changing the way we buy, store, and use it.

Every bit of wasted food has an environmental impact. Transport, fuel, water, energy – it all adds up. And while governments and businesses have an important part to play, food waste in UK households produces nearly 25 million tonnes of CO₂ every year.

For the planet and for future generations – we need to save food from the bin by changing the way we buy, store, and use it. This is the core message coming out of this year’s Food Waste Action Week campaign, 7-13 March 2022, which is being supported by television presenter Gregg Wallace.

Gregg Wallace, TV presenter, said “No one hates seeing good food go to waste more than I do, and often it’s simple changes in how we store food that make the biggest difference. That’s why I’m delighted to support this year’s Food Waste Action Week and Love Food Hate Waste. The fact is, we are all responsible for the vast majority of food waste that happens in the UK – 70% – so we really need to be part of the solution for the sake of the planet. And with food prices going up and other pressures on disposable income, the savings you’ll make to the family budget by wasting less food are significant.”

As a food production business, Better Naked is very much committed to food sustainability and reducing food waste. Our sustainability report includes more information.

Here are some of the actions we’ve taken to save food waste from the bin:

• Better Naked has been a ‘zero to landfill’ business since 2015 and all of our waste is recycled, sent for anaerobic digestion or recovered for energy.
• Our sites redistributed over 6 tonnes of product in 2019 and 5.4 tonnes in 2020 from overstock, short-notice changes and delisted product.
• This surplus product was donated to charity – Fareshare NI and Simon Community – and provided over 27,264 meals throughout 2019-2020 to people in need.
• In 2021, we sent 657 tonnes of process waste to anaerobic digestion – and this generated 800 miles of fuel per week for a bio-diesel truck.

How can you help reduce food waste – recycle, reuse, reduce?

• It’s a date – Avoid unnecessary waste by understanding these terms. ‘Use by’ is about food safety and food shouldn’t be eaten after this date. ‘Best Before’ is about food quality and food may taste or present better before this date but it’s generally still save to eat.
• Compost any food scraps to nourish your garden.
• Pre-plan meals and get batch cooking to save ££
• Read labels to understand how food should be stored – this will reduce spoilage and waste.
• Love your leftovers and use up veg, potatoes, or meats in soups or stews or curry’s. Why not try one of our Better Naked recipes for using up leftovers!

Sausage and Bean Cassoulet

Ham and Mushroom Pie