Food waste is a major issue for the UK. The national Love Food Hate Waste campaign has found that we throw away seven million tonnes of food and drink a year. This has serious cost and environmental implications for local households, businesses and local authority.
RiverRidge Recycling, Northern Ireland’s leading waste management company recently showed its commitment to helping reduce the issue of food waste through its ongoing support of the national Love Food Hate Waste campaign and working with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. Together they highlighted the issue of food waste as part of a showcase event held at Lurgan Market.
With celebrity chef Jenny Bristow working her culinary magic at the market, hosting a cookery master class to hundreds of shoppers and local business people, she illustrated how to ‘Love Food and Hate Waste’. The campaign aims to create awareness of the simple steps we can all take to reduce food waste.
The event drew large crowds keen to sample some of Jenny’s delicious dishes while picking up some hints and tips on how to create the perfect meal from using up leftovers in the fridge. Jenny also gave some ideas on budget friendly family dishes and school lunches while making the most out of the weekly food purchases – just in time for the new school term.
Pamela Jordan, Business Development Manager at RiverRidge Recycling said; “RiverRidge is committed to tackling the issue of food waste and was delighted to support this excellent event.
“Diverting food waste from landfill has become a priority and with new food waste legislation, RiverRidge offers a dependable and transparent waste management service, including a free waste management audit, to help identify the most effective and efficient solution to managing waste streams. We are continually investigating new and more resourceful landfill diversion strategies for food waste and are pleased to support this great opportunity to learn practical advice and recipes which will help consumers to get the most from food purchases, waste less and protect the environment from the damaging effects of food wastage.”
Also in attendance at the event was Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Garath Keating, who commented; “The ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign recently found the average family waste around £700 worth of good food every year – money which could contribute to essential bills or a well earned holiday. This event is a great way of promoting the importance of watching how much food we throw out and showcasing to locals that food made from leftovers can be delicious. I really hope Jenny’s cookery masterclass encourages more people throughout the Borough to be creative with their weekly shopping and leftovers and to use their imagination to cook up some really tasty treats.”
The market event follows on from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s successful innovative pilot scheme, supported by RiverRidge Recycling which was launched at the beginning of the summer to encourage diners in Lurgan to take home their left overs from eateries in the town in customised ‘good to go’ boxes.
RiverRidge Recycling is continuing to work with local councils to help advise commercial businesses on the food waste legislation and requirements and continues to support the Love Food Hate Waste campaign. For further information on how to manage your business’s food waste please contact Pamela Jordan, Business Development Manager at RiverRidge Recycling on 028 7086 8844.
