Food
Food is essential for all life, as is the soil it grows in. The food we eat can impact us and the environment in a multitude of ways, the more we understand about where our food comes from the more likely we are to reconsider what food we buy and ways in which not to waste it.
It is estimated that food waste contributes towards 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 25% of an individual’s emissions.
Food waste reduction not only has the benefit of decreased emissions but also helps to improve food security, has economic advantages, reduced pressure on land, water, biodiversity and waste management systems, however at current these benefits are slow on the uptake.
What can you do?
There’s a whole bunch of actions available to help you to reduce your emissions, here are our top tips:
- Eat seasonal, local, wonky and organic – often better for you and the environment, this food is grown in natural conditions, without man-made pesticides and fertilisers, comes in funky shapes and sizes, and has less miles to travel to get to your supermarket.
- Grow your own – get outside and learn a new hobby, with the rewards of new skills and cheap food! Get yourself a free nature-friendly gardening guide for tips and advice, volunteer your time or join the crop-share scheme at The Plot farm near Garstang, or keep an lookout for the reopening of the council's allotment waiting list.
- Avoid air-freighted food – non-EU food is flown around the world to get to your supermarket, generating a high carbon footprint. Check the country of origin before you purchase your fruit and vegetables, although remember food with thick skin like oranges and bananas are mainly transported by boat, so you can enjoy these low carbon foods guilt-free! You can also use a seasonal food calendar to check what food is likely to be grown locally.
- Less meat and dairy – reducing your meat and dairy intake will have the largest impact on your carbon footprint, particularly when avoiding red meat as cows and sheep produce methane emissions and have a high carbon footprint. Trying out Meat-Free Mondays and other classic vegetarian meals can reduce your footprint, but also lead to a healthier diet.
- Reduce waste – when wasted food goes to landfill, it not only wastes our money but rots and releases methane emissions. Instead of throwing it away, freeze any food that you will not eat in time (if freezer safe), explore leftover recipe ideas, donate it using apps such as OLIO, or add it to a compost bin for your garden.
- Avoid plastic packaging – try to buy food without packaging and wash it when you get home. This is especially important for non-recyclable plastic packaging. If you can, go to local shops and markets where you can bring your own containers to fill.
- Use your reusables – if you love a coffee in the morning, get yourself a reusable cup and save hundreds of non-recyclable paper cups per year, some places even offer discounts if you bring your own cup.