Households in Causeway Coast and Glens could save up to £1000 a year by using all the food they buy
Mon, February 19, 2024
Recycle Now and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is launching a new campaign to encourage households across our Borough to use all the food they buy and recycle anything inedible like eggshells, banana skins and tea bags.
While 80% of people in Northern Ireland recycle their food waste, latest estimates show that a third (30%) of the average rubbish bin is still made up of food, most of which could have been eaten (23%).
A household of four in the Borough could save £80 per month or £1,000 a year just by using all the food they buy. Items such as bananas, chicken, bread and potatoes are amongst the most wasted items. By throwing these away we are not only wasting money, we are also damaging the planet.
Think about cooking up some quick-fire easy recipes using these most wasted items. How about making a banana smoothie or chicken fajitas? There’s lots more inspiration for making the most of the food you buy over at Love Food Hate Waste.
For inedible items, make your food waste caddy your go-to bin. Even small amounts, like vegetable stalks, banana peels, onion skins, eggshells, chicken bones and coffee grounds, can be recycled.
Most food waste in Northern Ireland is collected together with your garden waste in the same outdoor bin. From there, it gets broken down and processed into compost and soil conditioner.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Steven Callaghan said: “I would encourage everyone to eat the food they buy and recycle inedible parts including vegetable stalks, fruit peels, onion skins, eggshells, bones, tea bags and coffee grounds. These can be forgotten but can all go in our brown bins. Keep your caddy fresh with our free compostable liners and empty it regularly – every other day or even every day if you use it often.”
Craig Stephens, Senior Campaign Manager, Recycle Now added: “The importance of this campaign is getting as many people as possible within Causeway Coast and Glens to first use the food they buy and then utilise their food caddy and stop putting food waste in the general rubbish bin. The resources that go into producing our food - the water; the transportation and the energy to chill foods from farm to factory and into our kitchens are also wasted when we throw food away.
“We need to raise awareness of the cost to households and the environment of needlessly putting food in the rubbish bin. By using all the food we buy and recycling the inedible parts, you can save money and create compost and green energy instead”.
For tips on saving money and food, check out Council’s FoodSmart campaign.
If you need a caddy, liners or more information on what to put in your caddy, visit the Brown Bin Recycling section on our website.
Recycling doesn’t have to be confusing. To find out more visit NI Recycles website.