More than 20,000 tonnes of food and garden waste was recycled in South Lanarkshire last year.
The figures were revealed to mark Food Waste Action Week, which asked residents across the area to think more about how they can change their behaviour and understand the true value of food.
Chairman of South Lanarkshire Council’s community and enterprise resources committee, Councillor John Anderson, stressed that food that could have been eaten but is instead thrown away wastes the valuable resources that went into making it including water, land and greenhouse gases.
He said: “We want people to think more about how they could use some of the food they throw away.
“You can start by whipping up tasty leftover recipes, storing food the correct way, and spreading the word to ensure that no food that could have been eaten goes to waste.
“One third of all the food we produce for human consumption is wasted.
“In the UK, that’s 4.5 million tonnes of tasty food wasted. Among food waste we throw away in Scotland, 60 per cent is avoidable waste, which means food that could have been eaten.
“I would encourage people to join Love Food Hate Waste and spread the word about how to waste less food. Everyone can make a difference, and something as small as saving your leftovers and encouraging friends and family to do the same means you’re doing your part.
“So, if you’re hungry for change, visit Love Food Hate Waste for some tips and to help our planet.”
For non-avoidable food waste, use your food caddy or compost your own food and garden waste if possible.
In South Lanarkshire, households receiving food or food and garden waste services recycle on average 141kg of organic waste each year.
In 2020, 20,346 tonnes of food and garden waste were recycled in South Lanarkshire.
Composting food waste means a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions with less waste going to landfill as well as the production of valuable organic fertilizer that is used in local parks.
