WATCH: Metro Vancouver introduces a campaign to reduce unnecessary food waste at home. Nadia Stewart has more.
A lot of uneaten food is going to waste in Metro Vancouver.
According to new numbers released Thursday by the Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee, thousands of pounds of whole, unused food–not just scraps–are being tossed into organic waste bins.
“When we looked at that food in the garbage, it turns out about half of it–even more than half of it–was never used,” said David Hocking, who handles communications for Metro Vancouver.
The numbers are staggering: 80,000 potatoes, 26,000 bananas and 32,000 loaves of bread are wasted on a daily basis across the Metro Vancouver area. These numbers are the driving force behind a new campaign called Love Food, Hate Waste, which offers tips to reduce food waste, such as making smarter shopping decisions and changing behaviour.
“It’s about learning the best way to store things, thinking of what it means when you see the best before dates on packages that you buy. What does that mean? Does it mean I have to throw it out at that time, or can I then check it to see if it’s OK?” explained Hocking.
The program mirrors one that was launched in the UK in 2007. Hocking said the British campaign reduced food waste by 20 per cent. Metro Vancouver is hoping for similar results.
The program will run for three years, after which time it will be evaluated. It will cost $111,030 for the first year.
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