Today, we are fortunate to live in a time and country where food is abundant, readily available, and relatively cheap. Supermarket shelves are always stocked, and convenience has become a key part of how we consume. Sadly, our society has also become wasteful when it comes to feeding ourselves. In the UK alone, it is estimated that 9.5 million tonnes of food are wasted each year, and around 70% of that waste comes from our own homes. That’s not just a waste of money; it’s a moral and environmental issue.

When people around the world are still going hungry, and the environmental costs of growing, transporting, and packaging food are so high, it’s more important than ever to take food waste seriously. Food production is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. So when we waste food, we’re not just throwing away our groceries, we’re throwing away the resources used to produce them, including water, energy, and labour.

In recent years, efforts have been made to raise awareness about the issue. Politicians such as London Mayor Sadiq Khan have highlighted the importance of tackling food waste. In 2018, he launched initiatives to cut food waste across the capital and encouraged households, businesses, and local councils to take action.

That said, tackling food waste isn’t just a job for governments or corporations; it starts at home. Understanding where waste occurs in the food chain can help us make more informed choices.

Where Does Food Waste Happen?

There are multiple stages in the food supply chain where waste occurs:

On the farm: Between 20% and 40% of fruit and vegetables are rejected before they even leave the farm because they don’t meet the aesthetic standards of supermarkets. That means slightly misshapen carrots or apples with surface blemishes are discarded even though they are perfectly edible.

In transport: Food can rot during transportation due to poor temperature control, delays, or damage during loading and unloading.

At the retailer: Supermarkets and food shops often dispose of food that’s past its ‘use-by’ or ‘best before’ date, even when the food is still safe to eat. Retailers may also throw away off-cuts or unsold produce.

At home: This is the biggest area of waste in the UK. We buy more than we need, forget what we have, let things expire, or prepare too much and throw away the leftovers. A large percentage of edible food ends up in the bin unnecessarily.

What Can We Do About It?

While the overall figures are daunting, the good news is that individuals can make a big impact with relatively simple changes. Here are a few steps you can take to reduce your personal food waste:

Check use-by dates before you buy: Take a few seconds at the supermarket to check dates on perishable items. Make sure they align with your meal plans and that you’ll have time to use them.

Understand the difference between ‘use-by’ and ‘best before’: ‘Use-by’ dates relate to food safety, especially with items like meat, fish, and dairy. ‘Best before’ dates are more about quality than safety; food may not be at its peak after this date, but can still be perfectly fine to eat.

Don’t overbuy: Avoid impulse buying, especially with perishable goods. Try shopping with a list and stick to it. Buying in bulk might seem cost-effective, but only if you use everything.

Make a food plan: Planning your meals for the week can help you buy only what you need. It also helps prevent last-minute takeaways or quick fixes that lead to uneaten food at home.

Use your freezer: Freezing food is one of the most effective ways to avoid waste. Bread, leftovers, cooked meals, and even vegetables can all be frozen and used at a later date.

Get creative with leftovers: A bit of yesterday’s roast can be turned into a curry or sandwich. Soft vegetables can be used in a stir-fry or a soup. Get used to thinking about how you can use what’s already in your fridge.

Make soup or stock: Wilting veg or bones from a roast can be transformed into tasty soups and stocks. This not only reduces waste but saves money, too.

Compost where possible: If you do have unavoidable food waste like peelings or eggshells, composting them can help keep them out of the landfill and turn them into something useful for your garden.

Businesses and Food Waste

While household waste is the largest contributor in the UK, businesses, particularly those in retail, hospitality, and catering, also have a role to play. Organisations that produce large volumes of food waste should consider working with waste management partners who can dispose of or recycle food responsibly.

That’s where companies like Brewsters come in.

Helping London Tackle Waste the Right Way

Brewsters is a waste management company based in London. With over 50 years of industry-leading experience, we are proud to help homes and businesses handle their waste efficiently, safely, and responsibly.

We have built a strong reputation for reliability and sustainability, always striving to be as green as possible. We don’t just dispose of waste, we actively seek to recycle and reuse wherever we can, helping reduce the environmental impact of waste across London and beyond.

Our range of services includes:

Over the years, Brewsters has had the honour of contributing to high-profile projects including the Olympic Park, the Shard, Southbank Tower, the Tate Modern, and Heron Tower.

Whether we’re working on a world-famous site or helping a small local business, we apply the same values of professionalism, responsibility, and care.

What Sets Us Apart?

Customer-first approach: Our friendly, knowledgeable team is committed to making your experience seamless and stress-free.

Easy online booking: We’ve simplified the process of hiring our services with a user-friendly online booking system.

Fully accredited: We hold accreditations including SafeContractor, CHAS, Constructionline, and FORS Silver, meaning you can trust us with your waste management needs.

Environmental commitment: Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are continuously working to minimise waste going to landfill and maximise recycling rates.

At Brewsters, we understand that waste management is not just about removal, it’s about responsibility. Whether you’re trying to cut down food waste at home or as part of a business, we’re here to support you with expert knowledge and practical solutions.

Get in touch today to find out how we can help you reduce waste and manage your environmental footprint. Call us at 020 7474 3535 or email us at info@brewsterswaste.co.uk.

Together, we can build a greener, more sustainable future, one less bin at a time.