Too Good To Waste

In our world of over-consumption, waste is a big issue. We buy clothes that we never wear, we use disposable items daily and we throw away bin bags full of food. We throw away 7.2 million tonnes of food every year and the worst part is most of it is still good to eat. Restaurants alone throw away 600,000 tonnes of food every year due to food prep, spoilage and leftovers on plates. We can help to reduce this food waste both in our own homes and when we are out in restaurants.

Too Good To Waste have come up with a solution to reduce the amount of wasted food being sent into our landfills from restaurants. Instead of wasting our leftovers, this yummy food is being sent right into our fridges thanks to 'The Doggy Box'. No- it's not a new invention- it's a rejuvenation, of the old Doggy Bag that is so popular on American soil. The box is a very contemporary looking item made from 100% recycled and biodegradable material that you can take your left over food home in. Once home, you can dispose of it in your compost bin. Even the stickers used to seal up the boxes are made from recycled material so it is sustainable and environmentally friendly too!

It seems to me that the whole concept of asking to take home leftovers is seen in somewhat of a negative light in the UK. It tends to be considered rude to ask for a Doggy Bag here but this is a perception that we need to start changing. Wasting perfectly good food and sending it unnecessarily to landfill is something that we need to be aware of and be trying to reduce in our everyday lives. Reducing food waste is something we can be striving for both at home and when eating out in restaurants.

To prove to you that asking for a Doggy Box for your leftovers isn't something to be sniffed at, there is even a whole host of famous chefs, food critics and restaurants supporting the Doggy Box, including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Thomasina Miers and Antony Worrall Thompson. 

Here at One Green Dress, we think the Doggy Box is a great idea! There is nothing worse than having to leave half your plate of food in a lovely restaurant because you are too full to enjoy the whole meal. What do you think about the Doggy Box? Do you think this a good solution to food waste when eating out?

Reducing waste when cooking at home is another way to help stop filling up landfill sites with food. Love Food Hate Waste has many brilliant tips for reducing food waste that also helps you to save money on food bills. They suggest recipes for left overs, suggest realistic portion sizes and explain how best to store your food to keep it fresher for longer. Take a look at their website to see how you can help to cut waste in your kitchen!

Pictures and info from Too Good To Waste and Love Food Hate Waste