TO THINK ABOUT:

Why it’s all worth it

I read something recently about ‘food waste fatigue’ – and yes, maybe all this broccoli stalk talk does get a bit eye-rolly, but food waste isn’t a trend or fad. It’s an important issue that isn’t going away anytime soon.

Here are a few big-picture facts from food-waste fighters Olio (olioex.com) to remember why it’s all worth it:

25 PER CENT OF ALL WATER CONSUMED ANNUALLY IS USED TO PRODUCE FOOD THAT ISN’T EATEN

In most developed countries, food waste happens at home, so you pickling your scraps and reinventing your leftovers is just as important as the big guys in the food world, like supermarkets, doing their bit.

AN AREA THE SIZE OF CHINA IS USED TO GROW FOOD THAT IS NEVER EATEN

If food waste were a country, it’d be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases behind China and the US. We do have the power to change this. Pickling your scraps, eating your carrot tops, loving your leftovers, being aware of what and when you’re buying as well as where from; it all helps.