Figures show people in Wales are wasting less food

A NEW report shows that people in Wales are wasting less food.

The total amount of household food and drink has reduced by 65,000 tonnes in Wales since 2007 saving householders millions of pounds.

In 2012 alone, Welsh householders saved £160 million by wasting less food such as fruit, homemade and pre-prepared meals than they were before.

The figures, released by WRAP, have been welcomed by Executive Board Member for Technical Services Cllr Colin Evans.

He said: “This shows that people are doing things differently in the home such as buying the right amounts, storing and freezing foods so that they last longer and making more use of leftovers.

“This has been supported by changes to food packaging, including clearer date labels, as well as campaigns and initiatives carried out locally by councils and nationally under the Love Food Hate Waste with information and advice, recipes and celebrity chefs.

“There is no doubt that the increase in food prices has also had an impact.”

However, more work still needs to be done as the report shows that a staggering 210,000 tonnes of perfectly good food is thrown away in Wales every year – the equivalent of six meals every week*; costing £610 million a year or almost £60 a month to the average family**.

Cllr Evans added: “Almost half of this food goes straight from our fridges or cupboards into the bin and doesn’t even make it onto our dinner plates.

“This money could have been spent on other household bills, particularly at a time when a lot of families are struggling.

“We will continue to actively support and promote the Love Food Hate Waste campaign and hopefully by working together we can reduce these food waste figures even further and save even more money.”

*Assumes 500g per meal.

**£60 per month is for families with children.