Zero Waste Week

Mr and Mrs Green at My Zero Waste have been busy as usual organising National Zero Waste Week. This couple work harder than anyone I know in campaigning to get us all to cut out as much waste as we can (including plastic). So the least we can all do is to support their efforts.


National Zero Waste Week takes place week beginning 6th September 2010.


This year’s theme is ‘Cooking for Victory’ in response to WRAPS “household Food and Drink Waste in the UK” report. The report shows we throw away 8.3 million tonnes of food and drink every year. Most of this is avoidable and could have been eaten if we had planned, stored and managed it better. This amount of food waste costs the average family in Britain £50 per month.


How can I join in?
Leave a comment on the site, telling them what you pledge to do to reduce your food waste. Then go back during National Zero Waste Week and let them know how you are getting on.


Be sure to bookmark this page! If you have a blog or webpage, please help spread the word by selecting one of our banners or badges and adding it to your site.


You could win!
There are two great prizes up for grabs - a £50 LUSH voucher and £50 Natural Collection voucher!


What can I pledge to do?
As long as you end up reducing your food waste in some way, you can choose anything you like. Here are some ideas:


Identify a particular food that gets thrown away every week and plan a great recipe to use it up


View your leftovers as ingredients


Say no to prepacked food and buy only the amount you need


Get your scales out for measuring rice and pasta rather than guessing and ending up with waste


Start a compost heap, wormery or bokashi bin.


How can I win?
The two people who, in the opinion of Zero Waste, have made the best effort, create innovative sounding recipes, support and encourage other participants, share great tips or simply inspire us with their creative endevours will win. Even if you already have zero food waste each week, you can still win by sharing tips, recipes and supporting others.


About National Zero Waste Week 2010
National Zero Waste Week 2010 is sponsored by Tetra Pak; the world’s leading food processing and packaging solutions company. According to WRAP around 20% of the UK´s greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food production, distribution and storage. Using packaging like long life cartons keeps products fresh until we need them, minimising food waste plus they are fully recyclable with over 86% of Local Authorities collecting cartons for recycling.


The campaign also have the support of celebrity chef, Brian Turner CBE who said, “I’m a great supporter of National Zero Waste Week. I think it’s a wonderful idea and everyone should give join in. Once you’ve done a week, then it’s only another 51 to go!”


During Zero Waste Week you’ll discover how Brian views food as an asset, promotes a ‘compost while you cook’ approach and encourages us to use our fridges and freezer as tools for minimising food waste.


natural cosmetic company, LUSH have offered one lucky winner a £50 voucher. LUSH make fresh handmade cosmetics from natural ingredients. Many of their products are available with no packaging at all, they use recycled packaging where possible and encourage consumers to recycle, reuse or compost packaging after use.


Plus, Natural Collection have offered one lucky winner a £50 voucher. Natural Collection are one of the longest-standing green online companies where every item they sell are independently vetted by an environmental expert for eco friendliness.