New estimates suggest that the average British family is wasting approximately £800 worth of edible food a year with staples including bread, bananas and milk topping the bill of most binned items, according to a nationwide study by Tesco.
The study suggests three quarters of UK households (77%) say they throw away unopened or unused food, more than a third (37%) doing so on at least a monthly basis and half a million people are throwing away food they forgot to eat or never opened on a daily basis.
Against the backdrop of the rise in the cost of living, over three in five (61%) who responded to the survey say they plan to shop more carefully and only buy “what they need”.
While many (45%) want to take steps to reduce the amount of food they waste at home, the research suggests that lack of time, planning and understanding about what they can cook, and by when, is getting in the way.
No one sets out to waste food but all too often hectic lifestyles, changing plans or just plain forgetfulness can mean good food ends up in the bin and money down the drain.
To help families reduce their wasted food and make their food and money go further, Tesco has teamed up with Unilever brand, Hellmann’s to create a ‘Use Up Day’ campaign, encouraging the nation to – once a week – cook a meal using up food they already have in their kitchen.
Kené Umeasiegbu, Campaigns Director from Tesco said: “No one sets out to waste food but all too often hectic lifestyles, changing plans or just plain forgetfulness can mean good food ends up in the bin and money down the drain.
“We know that right now every little helps that’s why we are launching our ‘Use Up Day’ campaign to help our customers spend less and cut waste by using food already in their kitchen.
“We recognise that lack of time and the perception that you need to be a skilled cook can be a barrier to taking action. It’s why a ‘Use Up Day’ is straightforward and easy to implement – using recipes that are quick, tasty and help you make your food go further today.”
Use up day
Tesco says implementing a weekly ‘Use Up Day’ is not only simple but can help shoppers save money. A recent study by Hellmann’s, which was the largest and longest behavioural study into household food waste, suggests that the average family could reduce the amount of food thrown away at home by a third and save around a third of waste per year by adopting this simple food hack, which equates to a potential financial saving of £260 per year.
The campaign will offer a range of resources for consumers including a ‘Use Up Day’ guide to help families find their perfect ‘Use Up Day’ and a variety of recipes that make use of commonly thrown away ingredients. Tesco’s recipe finder tool can also help shoppers discover new recipes in seconds by inputting spare, leftover and unused ingredients.
For shoppers eager to reduce waste and spend less, Tesco’s new food waste hub also includes money saving tips and advice on how to make batch-cooking a budget-friendly game-changer that turns your freezer into your new best friend.
Small changes in our behaviour and simple interventions, such as committing one day a week to using up leftovers, all add up
Katharine Crossland, Shopper Marketing Director at Unilever UK & Ireland, said” “No good food should go to waste, which is why Hellmann’s is always looking for more ways to make taste, not waste. We have an opportunity and responsibility to help shoppers get more out of their food shop – one delicious recipe at a time.
“Small changes in our behaviour and simple interventions, such as committing one day a week to using up leftovers, all add up. It’s great to partner with Tesco on this campaign – every morsel of good food that is used up, rather than chucked out, is better for our planet and our wallets.”
Catherine David, Director of Collaboration and Change, WRAP added: “The average UK household wastes eight meals a week – wasting food costs money and feeds climate change. Food businesses can really help shoppers reduce the amount of food ending up in the bin, through simple changes like the one being championed by Tesco and Unilever.
“Less food wasted means more money in people’s pockets, and a lower carbon footprint – a win-win for people and planet!”
Gen Zers “most wasteful”
The research also suggests that Gen Zers are the most wasteful generation – 23% rarely, if ever, check their fridge or cupboards before they shop for more food, just 31% always make a shopping list; compared to 38% of Gen X and 36% of “baby boomers”. And they are the most likely to throw food out on a monthly basis, 32% of Gen Zers compared to just 22% of Millennials and 13% of baby boomers.
The research also suggests the top food items that are most commonly wasted in UK homes. This includes popular household favourites, such as chicken breasts; potatoes; sliced bread; lettuce; milk and bananas.
Top food items wasted in the home, according to new research by Tesco:
