Families throw out $563 of food yearly

Half of people's rubbish is perfectly good food, says Hastings District Council Waste Minimisation Planner Angela Atkins.

The council took part in a recent study that revealed the average New Zealand family threw away more than $563 worth of edible food annually.

The nationwide study audited council rubbish bins and bags to investigate the extent of food waste.

"The audit showed a staggering amount of perfectly good food is thrown away every week," Ms Atkins said.

"We have known for some time that over half of the rubbish put out for kerbside collection is organic and most is food."

The quantity and quality of edible food was surprising.

"Whole loaves of bread, unopened yoghurt, untouched fruit made up just some of the food found in rubbish bags during this audit."

The nationwide study sifted through 1402 rubbish bins/bags and surveyed 1365 people to find out how much food was thrown out and why it was thrown out.

It also looked at how people could make better use of leftover food.

More than a quarter of households admitted edible food wastage to the value of $21 a week.

"Only 10 per cent of households declared they waste nothing at all."

Councillor Tania Kerr said the council practised what it preached.

"In Hastings our office buildings have recycling stations on each floor where waste is separated and collected," she said.

"Food waste is fed to our worm farm and the paper and plastics are recycled."

At home she said her family tried to live a sustainable lifestyle and grew much of their own food.

"Any leftovers are used up in another meal or composted," she said.

A Food Preservation and Storage workshop will be held at the Environment Centre on Saturday March 28 from 9.30am to 12pm. To book phone 870 4942.