Argyll and Bute Council is supporting a new national campaign which is encouraging Scots to reduce the amount of food they waste, and start recycling what they can’t use. The Scottish Government’s Food Waste roadshow will call at Helensburgh’s Waitrose on 22 and 23 March.

According to Zero Waste Scotland, as a nation we waste one fifth of the food we buy every year – most of which could have been avoided. It’s expensive and it’s bad for our environment. 630,000 tonnes of food and drink is thrown away annually – costing Scots over £1billion and creating harmful greenhouse gases.

This national campaign seeks to show that by making small changes and reducing the amount of food thrown away – families can save an average of nearly £40 a month on food they don’t use and do their bit for the environment.

With more than one million households – that’s over half of the country - now part of local food waste collection schemes, it also aims to get Scots recycling foods that can’t be used like banana skins, bones and tea bags.

In Argyll and Bute the current household waste recycling figure is around 35%, with the figure increasing to 40% in Helensburgh and Lomond.

Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Amenity Services, Councillor Ellen Morton, said, “At present, Helensburgh and Lomond is the only area of Argyll and Bute where we carry out food waste recycling collections, and last year we sent almost 600 tonnes of food waste for recycling which produces energy and compost.

“The good news is that we can all save money by not buying more food than we need, and by doing so each family could save £9 per week, that’s equivalent to £470 per year – a considerable sum.

“Please take time to pop along to this information roadshow and learn how reducing your food shopping could save money and reducing the amount being sent to landfill.”

For information on home composting go to: www.greenerscotland.org