What a load of waste...

12:27pm Thursday 17th July 2008

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A GOVERNMENT-commissioned report said cutting down on food waste could help cut rising global prices and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The report was published as G8 leaders met in Japan to discuss issues including spiralling global food prices and climate change.

The Cabinet Office study said British consumers spend an average £420 per household each year on food that goes into the bin the equivalent to 4.1million tonnes or £10billion.

Mark Blaker, from Somerset Waste Part-nership, said: "I think it's an important issue to discuss and we're keen to support any message that's encouraging people to recycle.

"The food we throw away is responsible for the equivalent of 18 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year that's the same as the CO2 emitted by one in every five cars on UK roads."

Forum 21, in West Somerset, is a community group aiming to promote a sustainable environment, economy and society.

Co-ordinator Lorna Scott said: "We would agree with what Gordon Brown has been saying and at Forum 21 we are always encouraging people to compost their food waste.

"But, who knows how effective the message from the Government will be? To make a real difference it would have to be a real campaign.

"At the moment, people are thinking about their budgets so, hopefully, this will encourage them to think more about their waste."

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