Islanders urged to manage food waste this Christmas
With islanders expected to produce 25% more food waste over Christmas, Guernsey’s waste minimisation and sustainability officer is encouraging islanders to plan ahead.
On average about 82 tonnes of food waste will be collected over Christmas week – a big increase on the usual 65 tonnes a week.
While some is unavoidable, like turkey carcases and carrot peelings, Douglas Button from the Guernsey Waste said he was keen to stop edible food being thrown out.
‘The most important advice we can provide the public is to try to prevent generating waste where possible. This is better for your budget and for the environment,’ he said.
There are several ideas how to lighten the food bin. One is to buy less, but buy better quality, so all the food is likely to be eaten. Another is sharing leftovers with any guests, so they can take them home to eat later.
Many foods can be frozen, and Mr Button suggested that if people tried to eat more food from their freezer in the coming weeks, there would be more space to preserve Christmas food.
His favourite tip to use is the Guernsey Waste Christmas dinner portion planner, which details how much food each person needs, right down to how many pigs-in-blankets to cook and how much gravy to make.
‘It is really effective and it does reduce the waste,’ he said.
It is not just food that increases the island’s waste. Wrapping paper and delivery packaging sees the weekly 90 tonnes of clear bag material balloon to 140 tonnes over Christmas.
Mr Button suggested that islanders look at ways to buy on island where possible. Not only would it support the local economy, but it would reduce the number of Amazon boxes. Blue bags also increase from 50 tonnes to 74 tonnes, while glass increases by about 30% over the festive period to 130 tonnes.
One suggestion to reduce waste includes islanders writing a shopping list and sticking to it. It would cut time in the shop and ensure only what was needed was bought.
For ideas on how to use leftovers, pick up a LoveFoodHateWaste.gg calendar from local supermarkets.
Christmas dinner portion suggestions
Turkey
A turkey crown (2kg-2½kg) (six people)
A small turkey (3kg-4½kg) (six to eight people)
A medium turkey (4kg-6kg) (eight to 10 people)
A large turkey (6kg-6½kg) (12 to 15 people)
Roast potatoes
250g per person
Stuffing balls
Two to three per person
Pigs in blankets
Two to three per person
Brussel sprouts
80g per person
Carrots
80g per person
Parsnips
80g per person
Gravy
120ml per person
Cranberry sauce
25g per person
