Householders who reduce their food waste by 25 per cent could save as much as €60 a month on their bills.
That is according to Mayo County Council, which is launching a novel new Stop Food Waste Challenge.
They are challenging 12 local families to reduce their food waste by 25 per cent and see if they end up with more cash in their pockets at the end of the challenge.
Sharon Cameron, environment awareness officer with Mayo County Council, said there are a number of reasons why so much food ends up in our bins.
“We all waste food. It can’t be helped,” she said. “Plans change, we prepare too much, leftovers go off in the fridge, we forget about the stuff in the bottom of the freezer.”
Over two months, the participating families will attend four one-hour workshops focusing on topics such as awareness, planning, shopping, storing, cooking, and composting, all in a bid to help them cut out binning food in the home.
“As wasting food happens for different reasons there will be different ways for each of us to change how we do things to reduce our food waste and save ourselves money,” continued Ms Cameron.
“By working through this challenge we hope that you can reduce your food waste, save money, have some fun, and enjoy tasty meals on the way.”
The workshops will take place in the Newman Institute, Cathedral Road, Ballina, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm, on September 30, October 7, October 21, and November 4.
To sign up for the challenge contact: Sharon Cameron or Mary Forde, Environment Awareness Section of Mayo County Council, on (094 ) 9047360 or email [email protected].
