Every day, UK households throw away 86,000 whole lettuces. Let that sink in.

That’s not lettuce going off in shops or being spoiled during transit. That’s fresh, edible produce being bought, forgotten in the fridge, and dumped in the bin, right in our own homes.

Food waste: A hidden climate culprit

We often think of climate change in terms of transport, energy, or industry, but food waste is responsible for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. And here’s the kicker: 70% of that waste comes from households, not farms or supermarkets.

So when we toss that bag of salad or those brown bananas, we're not just wasting food. We’re throwing away all the carbon, water, transport, and labour that went into getting it to our plates.

It’s not just bad for the planet, it hits our wallets too

Wasting food costs the average UK household £700 a year. That’s roughly the price of a new energy-efficient fridge… ironic.

In a cost-of-living crisis, we’re all watching the pennies. Reducing food waste is one of the few sustainability actions that can actually save you money immediately.

Simple tips to waste less and eat better

You don’t have to go full zero-waste overnight. Start small:

1. Plan meals before shopping so you only buy what you’ll use.

2. Use your freezer for everything from bread to spinach.

3. Buy loose produce when possible, so you get exactly what you need (and save on excess plastic use, too).

4. Eat seasonally - local, in-season food tends to last longer and have a smaller footprint.

5. Embrace "ugly veg" - they taste the same and are often cheaper.

‍‍This is about more than lettuces

Food connects us to the land, to our families, and our values. Cutting down on waste isn’t just about being “eco”, it’s about respecting the effort behind the food, caring for the planet, and making our money go further.

If 86,000 lettuces go to waste every day in Britain, imagine what we could do if even half of us changed how we shop, store, and eat.

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Inspired by Country Life’s report on household food waste