New figures show Australians are wasting a record $8 billion worth of food every year.Lobby group Do Something used information from state governments and local councils to work out how much food was being wasted.
It found 40 per cent of all household rubbish was food.
The group’s founder, Jon Dee, says that is more than just a waste of money – it is bad for the environment, adding to the large amount of rubbish at tips.
“When that rots along with other organics, it gives off a greenhouse gas called methane, which is 25 times more potent than the fumes that come out of your car exhaust,” he said.
“And what you’re also throwing away is all the water, energy and resources that it took to get that food all the way from the paddock to your plate.”
Mr Dee says as people prepare for their Christmas feasts, they should think carefully about how they can save their leftovers by freezing them or using them up in new meals.
Source: abc.net.au