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Once you’re decided on your Christmas tree, it’s time to get the decorations sorted!

Our #ChooseToReuse Christmas Decorations edition features a list of eco-friendly ideas for how you can add a touch of festive fancy to your tree and home this Christmas…

LED string lights are not only brighter than incandescent ones, but they save energy and money too. With the right treatment, hey can be used for years on end!

LED Christmas Lights

If you have yet to make the switch to LED Christmas lights, then now is the time to do it!

Why? Because LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent lights and last up to 100,000 hours when used indoors.

As well as being kinder to the environment, LED lights are also kinder to your bank balance too. According to research from Which?*, using one string of LED lights on your tree for six hours per day over a two-month period would cost as little as 51p per day on average.

It goes without saying, the more lights you use and the longer that you use them for will use more energy and cost more money – so this is something to bear in mind when choosing how to light up your Christmas tree and/or other parts of your home.

*Worthy to note – the same Which? article also revealed that there are certain LED light settings which you can save on energy and costs, so it’s definitely worth a look!

Homemade Christmas Decorations

Homemade Christmas decorations are a great way to reduce waste, save money and spend some quality time getting creative.

Whether you’re crafting on your own, with friends or with family, DIY deccies are a fun activity for both adults and children alike!

There are so many different innovative decoration ideas available to explore online. Here are a few from us to get your creative juices flowing…

Cardboard Star Garland

Before you pop that cardboard box into the recycling, why not transform it into something that will add a bit of festive magic to your Christmas tree?

We tried this this cardboard star decoration from northpole.com and it did not disappoint!

The article advises to use the following supplies:

Printable template (download here)*
Cutting mat
X-Acto**
Ruler
Pencil
Pin
Cardboard, plus extra to protect painting surface
Gold spray paint***
Fishing line (or other clear string)****
Optional: hot glue gun & glue sticks

*Instead of the helpful printable template supplied in the source article, we cheated and used a star holepunch – these are available to buy at craft and stationery stores or online.

**X-Acto is just a brand of craft knife recommended by the source article. You can use any craft knife you like. Just make sure your blade is sharp and that you have some spares if you plan to make loads of stars, as blades can become blunted if overused.

***Instead of gold spray paint, we opted to use gold acrylic paint and a small artist brush to cut down our use of aerosols. If you do opt for spray paint, just be sure to recycle it at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (or, if you live in St Helens, you can place empty aerosols into your white bag which gets collected from home). Also worthy to note is that although acrylic paint is deemed to be less harmful than lead-based or oil-based paints, there are alternatives out there that are friendlier for the environment (mainly and namely watercolours).

****Instead of fishing wire or other clear string, we opted for brown string. This is because we decided to use our cardboard stars to make a garland, rather than individual hanging decorations.

Aside from the above customisations to our supplies list, we followed the method as listed and ended up with the following carboard star chain…

Not a bad place to get us star-ted, on our DIY decoration journey, eh?

Making your own salt dough decorations at home is a fun and rewarding activity for children and adults alike.

Salt Dough Christmas Tree Decorations

Making salt dough shapes is not only a great way to create customisable ornaments, but is a fun, cost-cutting activity for people of all ages!

Salt dough is made using only three ingredients – plain flour, salt and water.

It takes 10 minutes to prepare and once the dough mixture is made up, you can use it to make whatever shapes you desire!

You could make a homemade paper template (such as a star or Christmas tree shape) and a craft knife to cut around – although, using cookie cutters is a less time-consuming method. Christmas-themed cookie cutters are available to buy in various stores and online.

Once you have cut your dough and baked it – we baked ours at a low heat for three hours – it’s simply a case of allowing it to cool before painting the shapes to your liking.

We followed this simple recipe from BBC Good Food and ended up with the below Christmas decorations…

We opted to make smaller shapes, as we knew anything bigger may look a little over-bearing for our tiny Christmas tree.

We glued two of the same shape back-to-back to give each ornament extra sturdiness – we did this with a glue gun, gluing jewellery wire between each shape so we could use them as hanging ornaments for our tree.

If you have a larger tree (the tree we used is only 3-feet), then it may be worth thinking about making the shapes a little bigger, so that they don’t get lost in the aesthetic.

One last observation we thought worth sharing – we made too many shapes to fit in the oven when baking. The leftover shapes were subsequently put to one side. When we revisited them a few days later, they had solidified, so there was no need for us to bake them. This saved us time, as well as money on our energy bill!

Other Great DIY Christmas Decoration Ideas

Cardboard stars and salt dough shapes were just two DIY decorations we tried at home, with a little help from some friends. It was a fun way to socialise and although we’re sure that the legacy of great artists such as Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Turner will remain unthreatened by our work, we were all pleasantly surprised with the outcome of our efforts.

Here are some other ideas which we’re thinking of trying ourselves in future (and which may interest you too)…

Festive DIY Toilet Roll Tube Crafts

The humble toilet roll tube is one of the best everyday items you can use to make Christmas decorations… It’s amazing how these usually dull and grey objects can be customised and upcycled into something festive for your home.

Whether you’re opting for something simple or elaborate, here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing…

Just remember, if you opt to create a toilet roll tube decoration which uses glitter or plastic, then these items can’t be placed in your kerbside recycling collections. The best thing to do would be to keep them safe to be reused next year. However, if they get a little tatty and can’t be reused, then place them in your residual waste bin at home.

Image credit: Surviving a Teacher's Salary — Image credit: Surviving a Teacher’s Salary

Santa Claus in a Chimney

Kicking off our DIY toilet roll tube crafts is this simple yet effective Santa Clause decoration from survivingateacherssalary.com…

As stated on the website, “this adorable Santa Claus Toilet Paper Tube Christmas craft for kids is great for preschool and older kids! All you’ll need is a recycled toilet paper tube (or cut paper towel roll), red, black and white paint, and a red piece of card stock or construction paper”.

Visit here to find out more: https://www.survivingateacherssalary.com/santa-claus-toilet-paper-tube-christmas-craft-for-kids/.

Cut-Out Christmas Trees

Originally shared during the height of the pandemic back in 2020, this cut-out Christmas Tree decoration from Coley Kuyper Art can be made as an individual ornament for your mantle piece – or as part of a collection (or “forest”, as the article states).

Items you’ll need to create your toilet roll Christmas Trees include:

– Empty toilet roll tubes and/or kitchen roll tubes

– A marker or pencil for sketching tree shapes

– Craft paint of choice

– Scissors

Visit here to find out how you can make your own cut-out Christmas Trees at home: https://coleykuyperart.com/blogs/blog/diy-toilet-paper-roll-christmas-tree-forrest.

Image credit: A Mom's Impression — Image credit: A Mom’s Impression

Christmas Elves

What would Christmas be without Santa’s little helpers?

This next DIY toilet roll tube craft from A Mom’s Impression is a tribute to elves and uses the following supplies:

Toilet Paper Tubes
Felt
Glitter Foam Sheet*
Scissors
Glue
Pom Poms
Glitter Tape*
Paint Markers

*Instead of glitter foam sheets and glitter tape, a more-environmentally friendly way to add colour would be to use watercolour paints.

Find out how you can make your own Christmas Elf toilet roll tube decorations at home here: https://amomsimpression.com/easy-kids-christmas-crafts/.

Eco-Friendly Christmas Crackers

While Christmas crackers are a well-loved tradition for a lot of people, the reality is that the cheap and easy-to-buy nature of these snap-tastic festive table decorations means that they are highly wasteful.

According to research from BusinessWaste.co.uk, it’s estimated that over 40 million Christmas crackers end up in the bin on Christmas day – furthermore, a survey found that 99% of individuals throw their Christmas cracker gift in the bin at the end of the day!

Aside from that, crackers usually contain foil, glitter or plastic which means they cannot be recycled after use.

However, there are a range of eco-friendly Christmas cracker options available to purchase in various stores and online. Eco-friendly Christmas crackers are often made from 100% recycled paper or reusable fabric.

Or, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can have a go at making some yourself! Check out the below two-minute craft from Diane in Denmark. This simple method allows you to reuse items such as toilet / kitchen roll inners and scraps of Christmas gift wrap. It’s easy to make, fun for kids and zero waste… What’s not to love?

Reusable Advent Calendars

What makes being a day closer to Christmas even more exciting? Getting a little treat for your troubles along the way!

Fun for both children and adults, Advent calendars are a great way to count down to Christmas Day.

BUT… Just like the previously covered topic of Christmas crackers, they can be highly wasteful due to their disposable nature and the levels of packaging that they contain.

According to research from BusinessWaste.co.uk, around 5 million advent calendars contain single-use plastics – furthermore, advent calendars have around 38 times as much packaging per gram of chocolate compared to a standard chocolate bar.

This level of waste is a huge contributor towards climate change. Thankfully, though, there is a way we can tackle this… By choosing a reusable Advent calendar!

Available via a range of local, high street and online retailers, reusable advent calendars are easy enough to buy… But also fun to make!

There are plenty of different ideas you can try listed on Pinterest, as well as a range of online tutorials. You can even buy DIY reusable Advent calendar kits if you don’t already have the required materials at home.

Once your reusable Advent calendar is in place, you can fill with whatever prizes you wish. Life Before Plastic has a great range of ideas including:

Small toys and trinkets
Handwritten notes or inspirational quotes
Eco-friendly treats like FairTrade chocolates or organic sweets
Mini skincare or beauty products
Craft supplies for DIY holiday decorations
Sustainable and reusable items like bamboo toothbrushes or reusable shopping bags

Natural Christmas Wreaths

Creating your own Christmas wreath is a great way to make use of natural resources lying around in your garden or local park.

Woodland Trust’s Foraging for Natural Christmas Decorations guide is a good reference point for finding out what to collect and where.

As well as offering top guidance on materials, they also have this handy tutorial on how you can make your natural Christmas wreath at home…

Beyond Christmas wreaths, Woodland Trust have other online video tutorials including how to make Seasonal DIY Twig Centerpieces, DIY Hanging Tree Branches, and DIY Table Setting Decorations.

This blog forms part of our #ChooseToReuse series. Please note, with the exception of MRWA-published documents, external links featured within this article are not officially endorsed by MRWA and are for reference and information purposes only.

Hello and welcome to the November 2023 edition of the Zero Waste LCR Food for Thought blog.

This monthly round-up of food-related dates features tips, recipes and facts which aim to help Liverpool City Region residents cut down on food waste to protect our planet for future generations…

Food Waste in Liverpool City Region

Annually, it is estimated that 73.2% of all the food in the kerbside collected residual waste is classified as avoidable. That is to say it is disposed of packaged or in a prepared but uneaten condition.

The Good News

The good news is that there are methods that residents across the region can introduce to reduce the amount of food waste. Generating less waste is a pivotal component in reducing the effects of climate change. Beyond creating a more sustainable environment, reducing food waste saves money and provides plenty of chances to get creative in the kitchen – even for those who wouldn’t usually dream of cooking.

So, without further ado, dig in and enjoy!

Trademark of The Vegan Society.

World Vegan Month (Wednesday 1 – Thursday 30 November)

Established by The Vegan Society, World Vegan Month takes place throughout the whole of November and shines a global spotlight on the vegan movement.

For us, it’s a chance to discuss the benefits of opting for plant-based dining choices as just one way in which we can protect the planet.

What is veganism?

Veganism is the practice of eating only food not derived from animals and typically avoiding the use of other animal products.

How does veganism help to protect the planet?

Although plant crops aren’t entirely without their own environmental issues, switching to a plant-based diet is generally perceived to be an effective way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which are a contributor towards global warming.

While many choose to adopt veganism from the ethical standpoint of avoiding animal cruelty, others opt in as a way to reduce their carbon footprint and lead the fight against climate change.

What vegan products can I try?

Whole foods such as fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains are all staples of a balanced vegan diet.

Aside from buying these items to make tasty savoury and sweet dishes at home, the ever-growing rise of dairy and meat alternatives – as covered toward the end of the August edition of Food for Thought – offer further avenues to mix up vegan food choices.

To view a range of vegan breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and snack options to try at home, we recommend visiting BBC Good Food.

How can I reduce vegan food waste?

Composting at home is a great way of turning organic waste into rich fertiliser for your plants.

Most vegan food waste comes from fruit and vegetable scraps. Various tops, ends and peelings usually go straight into our residual waste bins at home – although, many people are now actively composting in an attempt to become more green-fingered and eco-friendly.

Thankfully, composting is a movement which is growing more and more. Storing organic waste in a compost caddy and then emptying into a compost bin is a simple way of reducing waste while fuelling your garden.

For your chance to receive a FREE compost bin* and to learn more, you can get involved by joining our home composting project.

*Free compost bins are available to residents in Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral and are subject to limited availability. Use the contact form on this page to find out more.

The bottom line on veganism

Veganism may not be for everybody, but it’s certainly worth trying some vegan options as part of your wider diet and meal-time routine. While many meat-eaters, pescatarians and vegetarians haven’t made the whole leap towards veganism, a lot of have embraced ‘flexitarianism’.

As stated by BBC Good Food:

“Flexitarianism or ‘casual vegetarianism’ is an increasingly popular, plant-based diet that claims to reduce your carbon footprint and improve your health with an eating regime that’s mostly vegetarian yet still allows for the occasional meat dish. The rise of the flexitarian diet is a result of people taking a more environmentally sustainable approach to what they eat by reducing their meat consumption in exchange for alternative protein sources.”

Many are already embracing this approach, due to the uprise in readily available, affordable, and above all, tasty meat alternatives which have been popping up in fresh food and freezer aisles at the supermarket. Already established brands such as Quorn and Linda McCartney Foods have in recent years been joined by thriving vegan meat providers such as THIS, Beyond Meat and Oumph! – all of which provide a vast range of alternative meat products.

Even dining out has become more accessible, thanks to the uprise in vegan menus at existing restaurants and takeaways, in addition to specialist vegan fast-food eateries such as Down The Hatch in Liverpool and Zero Clucks Given in Wirral, for example.

If you can’t fully embrace veganism, then don’t beat yourself up about it! The above options are just some of the ways we can reduce our meat consumption and carbon footprint.

There are other ways beyond a plant-based diet which can help us to reduce waste and our carbon footprint – follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to find out more.

World Sandwich Day (Friday 3 November)

Friday 3 November marks World Sandwich Day – an annual celebration of the 4th Earl of Sandwich, John Montagu (1729 – 1792), who is often credited with the creation of this much-loved food item.

For us, World Sandwich Day is a chance to talk about how we can prevent these tasty treats from going to waste, as well as other eco-friendly decisions…

Were all familiar with this tasty treat, constructed with two slices of bread and a savoury or sweet filling of our choice.

Quick and easy to make at home, and even quicker and easier to buy dining out or on the go, sandwiches are a go to food for many people around the world.

How to reduce sandwich waste at home

Learn to love your bread

As mentioned in the October 2023 edition of Food for Thought, bread is a popular food item, but it often goes to waste. To put the extent of bread waste into perspective, it has been reported by Love Food Hate Waste that if we stopped binning bread, it could do the same for greenhouse gas emissions as planting 5.3 million trees!

Luckily, there are ways we can beat the bin when it comes to preventing bread waste. The Love Food Hate Waste website features a range of tips on bread including storage, buying, and how to get the best out of leftovers.

Make smart shopping choices:

Opt for ‘naked’ bread: This is bread which is either unpackaged or wrapped in paper. Some supermarkets have paper-wrapped bread, but more often than not, you will find these at your local bakery. Paper is better for the environment, as it can be shredded and composted at home… And if does end up in your residual waste

Bread wrapped in plastic packaging: Buying bread at your local convenience store or supermarket means you will likely be buying bread that comes in plastic packaging, which cannot be recycled at home. The good news is that packaging such as this can usually be recycled at recycling points (often, these are located at supermarkets) – you will just need to check the packaging to make sure that this is the case. You can find your nearest recycling points using WRAP’s Recycle Now Recycling Locator.

Meats: Buying meat locally is generally the best way to go when avoiding packaging waste and plastic pollution. This is because you can take your own reusable container(s) to your local butcher and ask them to place the meat of your choice inside it – although, this may also be an option at your local supermarket’s deli counter, so it’s definitely worth an ask next time you’re in store! And if you’re looking for ways to ensure your sandwich meat doesn’t go to waste, Check out the Love Food Hate Waste website for storage tips and recipes!

Vegetables and Salad: Buying loose vegetables and salad is not only a great way to avoid plastic but is also a good way to buy only what you need. Local fruit and vegetable shops often sell package-free goods and, as with meats, you can take your own containers (or reusable bags) to carry home after purchasing. Plenty of supermarkets also sell loose salad and vegetables too! Search Love Food Hate Waste’s Foods & Recipes page to discover storage tips as well as ways to make your salad go further.

Sauces and spreads: From tomato ketchup to brown sauce, mayonnaise to mustard, peanut butter to jam and so many more… Sauces and spreads act as a perfect accompaniment (or even as a main filling) in sandwiches. Whilst the glass jars and plastic bottles that these condiments come in are recyclable at home, another benefit is that they are reusable containers. Whether you find another purpose for them at home or you visit your nearest refill shop (which you can look up via our zero waste map), the main message for condiment jars and bottles is to keep them out of your residual waste bin!

Bake bread at home:

Making bread at home is a great way of reducing plastic waste.

As previously featured in August 2023 and October 2023 editions of Food for Thought, here is a slow cooker bread recipe* which is as easy to make as it is to eat…

As quoted by BBC Good Food editor, Barney Desmazery, “this simple project is perfect for beginners and uses strong wholemeal or white flour”, so the choice is yours when it comes to deciding which type of bread to make.

Coming in at 15 minutes prep and between 2 hours – 2 hours, 40 minutes cook time, this recipe will provide the perfect bread for your afternoon tea sandwiches. With a springy consistency straight from the slow cooker, or the option to bolster you crust via an extra 5 minutes in the oven, you can customise the bread to your liking.

Visit here to view the slow cooker bread recipe: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/slow-cooker-bread.

*We have opted to share a slow cooker bread, as this is a more energy-efficient way to bake, meaning that it’s less carbon-intensive and therefore less of a contributor towards climate change. However, if you do not have access to a slow cooker at home, there are plenty of oven cooker homemade bread recipes online to explore via a search engine of your choosing! BBC Good Food is generally a good place to start – although, if you’re looking to introduce a twist to your sandwiches, this list of zero waste sourdough discard recipes from the Zero Waste Chef is also handy!

Find sandwich recipes you love!

The beauty of sandwiches is how versatile they are. You can rustle up all manner of concoctions using combinations of fresh ingredients and store cupboard goods…

If you’re becoming bored and tiresome of your go-to sandwich choices, BBC Good Food features a range of recipes – from unique and innovative (such as this Green chilli & mango toastie recipe) to twists on tried and tested traditional favourites (such as this Egg & cress club sandwich recipe), this list features over 100 ideas!

How to reduce sandwich waste on the go

If you’re picking up a sandwich on the go, odds are that the packaging used to wrap the sandwich isn’t recyclable due to either being made up of mixed materials or contamination from food residue.

Listen, we get it! Those pre-made sandwiches which often sit in the fridges of supermarkets and garages for two or three days at a time are sometimes our only choice… But making them a regular thing is not only bad for your gut health (due to their high levels of preservatives) but is also a waste of packaging.

Instead, why not head to your local deli or sandwich shop? More often than not, they’ll make your sandwich fresh in front of you and wrap it in biodegradable paper… And if they don’t, then you don’t have to be shy! You can ask them to wrap it in a napkin or even take your own reusable bag or container and ask them to pop it in there.

Venison is just one of many game meats you can pick up from local butchers.

British Game Week (Monday 6 – Sunday 12 November)

From one extreme to the other… We’ve already covered World Vegan Month, now we’re moving into British Game Week, which takes place from Monday 6 – Sunday 12 November.

Established in 2013 from a collaboration between Taste of Game (now called Eat Game) and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, British Game Week takes place during peak wild gaming season.

What is game meat?

Wild game meat is meat from any land animal that is hunted for food and is not typically raised on farms.

Examples of game meat include bison, elk, wild boar, venison (deer meat), pheasant, rabbit and duck to name a few.

Where can I purchase game meat?

One big plus from an environmental point of view is that the largest majority of game meat is sold at a local level, which means there is less energy spent on getting the food to the consumers.

So, if you’re thinking of broadening your horizons beyond everyday meats such beef, lamb, chicken, turkey and pork, then heading down to your local butcher is a good place to start.

Generally speaking, butchers are staunch professionals who love to talk about the produce that they have on offer, so don’t be afraid to ask them what types of game they have in and what would their recommendations be!

What game recipes can I try at home?

Before heading down to your local butcher, you may want to explore this list of game recipes on BBC Good Food for inspiration. Featuring recipes such as slow-cooked rabbit stew, roast quail, tangled leek & potato vinaigrette and venison steaks with stroganoff sauce & shoestring fries to name just a few, this list is a good point to get you started.

The bottom line on wild game meat

While cutting down on meat consumption is generally perceived to be an effective way to reduce your carbon footprint, wild game meat offers a more sustainable avenue for eating meat.

From a nutritional point of view, it offers a high source of protein, with some game meats such as venison and pheasant also being low in fat.

Although game has had a reputation for being pricey in past years, it can be an affordable option at this time of year as we enter the peak season.

Cappuccino Day (Wednesday 8 November)

Wednesday 8 November marks the annual observation of Cappuccino Day.

Typically made up of double espresso and steamed milk with a generous foamy top (and sometimes sprinkled with cinnamon or chocolate, depending on your preference), cappuccino is considered by many to be a delightfully delectable drink!

A look back through the fledgling vaults of Food for Thought will tell you how to make sustainable choices whilst drinking coffee (view the International Coffee Day section of our October blog to discover how you can do this at home and on the go)… And you can delve even further back to the World Plant Milk Day section of our August edition to discover why switching to dairy alternatives is another option to consider when looking to reduce your carbon footprint.

Love Food Hate Waste’s chocolate bread and butter pudding is one of many great recipes which can make your leftovers go the extra mile.

British Pudding Day (Thursday 9 November)

There was once upon time (way back in the 17^th Century, to be more precise) when puddings were boiled in a specially designed bag and were mainly made up of savoury food… Black Pudding, Haggis and Steak and Kidney pudding are just a view examples.

While the above dishes are still popular with some to this day, many of us have come to affiliate puddings these days with the more universally loved staple of desserts.

The good news is that the Love Food Hate Waste website features recipes for both savoury and sweet puddings – all of which have been created to help turn our leftovers into food which we can enjoy while also preventing waste. This handy list of homemade recipes features savoury delights such as gluten-free Yorkshire puddings and Spanish omelette with black pudding, as well as sweet treats including Chocolate bread and butter pudding and apple and bramble crumble.

Chicken Nugget Day (Monday 13 November)

3 Ingredient Chicken Nuggets — Image credit: Freeze It

Lovers of chicken nuggets have come to cherish them as a much-loved fast-food item which can be enjoyed as a savoury snack or as part of a bigger meal.

Well, what if we told you that you can make them at home easily, without the messy palaver of grabbing the mixing bowl and flour?

This recipe from Freeze It uses just three core ingredients which are often leftover at home – chicken, yogurt and breadcrumbs! The recipe also recommends a seasoning blend, but you can easily adapt this to use whatever seasonings you fancy.

In another pleasantly surprising twist, these tasty chicken nuggets are baked, making them a healthier alternative, with the added benefit of not having to stand around tending to a sizzling frying pan!

Who knew making your own chicken nuggets at home didn’t have to be so much of a faff?

Love Food Hate Waste’s Olive tapenade toasts are a great way of using up leftover bread.

World Olive Day (Sunday 26 November)

The first of two featured food-related dates to occur on Sunday 26 November, World Olive Day (more formally recognised as World Olive Tree Day) was proclaimed at the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference in 2019 and takes place on 26 November every year.

While this day was primarily established with the aim to encourage the protection of the olive tree and the values it embodies, for us, it’s also an opportunity to share a great zero-waste recipe…

Love Food Hate Waste’s Olive Tapenade Toast Recipe is a great way to make leftover bread something more interesting… Not only does it give you a simple recipe to try at home, it also provides storage information so that you can allow yourself plenty of time to plan meals effectively.

Christmas pudding on a plate next to a small bowl of brandy butter — Image credit: BBC Good Food

Stir-Up Sunday (Sunday 26 November)

We’ve done our best to avoid it so far, but in our excitement, we can’t help mentioning Christmas! That’s because Stir-Up Sunday occurs on the last Sunday before Advent, and over the centuries has come to be acknowledged as an annual tradition in which Christmas pudding (and more recently, Christmas cake and mincemeat) can be made in a bid to get ahead and allow flavours to mature…

The beauty of Christmas pudding, cake and mincemeat is that they are all designed to keep for ages, which makes them a great zero-waste food to have available during the festive season.

If this annual celebration is something you think you can get on board with, then check out BBC Good Food’s Stir-up Sunday 2023 recipe list, which features traditional favourites as well as recipes with a twist. Gluten-free and vegan recipes are also included, which means there is something for everyone!

If you opt to make a Christmas pudding and you face the off-chance of having some left, then fear not, as the Love Food Hate Waste website features a couple of tips on how you can make your leftovers go the extra mile (spoiler alert: if you’re a lover of chocolate desserts or crumbles, then you’re going to want to check this out).

That’s a wrap!

Thank you for taking the time to read our Food for Thought blog – we hope you’ve enjoyed it and we’ve given you some great take-aways (no pun intended) on how you can reduce food waste and make sustainable-savvy decisions in a tasty manner!

Please note, with the exception of MRWA-published documents, external links feature within this article are not officially endorsed by MRWA and are for reference and information purposes only.

Hello and welcome to the October 2023 edition of the Zero Waste LCR Food for Thought blog.

This monthly round-up of food-related dates features tips, recipes and facts which aim to help Liverpool City Region residents cut down on food waste to protect our planet for future generations…

Food Waste in Liverpool City Region

According to the Waste Composition Analysis 2021/22 – Kerbside report produced by Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority, food waste across the six districts of Liverpool City Region (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral) makes up an average of 31.6% of all the kerbside collected residual waste collected, which equates to an estimated 134,107 tonnes per annum. Furthermore, it is estimated that 73.2% of all the food in the kerbside collected residual waste is classified as avoidable (meaning it is disposed of packaged or in a prepared but uneaten condition).

The Good News

So, without further ado, dig in and enjoy!

International Coffee Day (Sunday 1 October)

It’s time to wake up and smell International Coffee Day, as it kicks off a jam-packed month of annual food and drink related dates on Sunday 1 October…

According to British Coffee Association, we drink approximately 98 million cups of coffee per day in the UK! Whether at home or on the go, many of us love a cup of Joe – which provides us with a perfect opportunity to talk about how easy it is to make more sustainable choices when it comes to coffee.

Use Instant Coffee

Using soluble coffee (better known as instant coffee) granules is a great way of minimising coffee waste, as it requires less coffee and water kettles use less energy than the traditional coffee maker, as research from the University of Quebec suggests.

Instant coffee is quicker to make and more often than not, it’s also cheaper to purchase. However, we appreciate the instant stuff is not to everyone’s liking, so read on for more methods and advice…

Use a French Press or Moka Pot

Using a French press is a sustainable way to brew coffee. Simply add grounds and boiling water to your press, wait four minutes, and then slowly press down on the plunger to filter. Not only is this method better for the planet, but it’s also a simple and tasty way to enjoy your cuppa pick-me-up.

While you can achieve a strong coffee through brewing with a French press, a Moka pot is renowned for generating a more concentrated, espresso-style taste. The stovetop coffee makers require nothing but water and coffee grounds to brew. All you need to do is fill the bottom chamber with heated water, add the filter basket, fill the basket with coffee grounds, and transfer the pot to the stovetop. Turn your stove to medium heat and leave the lid of the brewer open. After a few minutes, a deep-brown stream of coffee will begin puttering out the top. You know your cup is done once the stream turns to a more light-brown or yellow colour!

Compost Coffee Grounds and Coffee Filters

According to fluentincoffee.com, the best way to compost coffee grounds and coffee filters* is to:

Break the filter up into smaller pieces. This speeds up the process and allows you to spread out the grounds and filter.
On that note, spread out the filter and the grounds, so they don’t harden and cake in one spot. If you notice that the grounds have hardened, make an extra effort to break up the cake and spread the coffee grounds around. This will speed up the process.
Mix up the filter and grounds with the rest of your compost. This keeps the moisture in your compost and prevents the coffee grounds from hardening. If things do get too dry, you can always add a little bit of water to keep moisture in your compost.

*It’s worth noting that only coffee filters made entirely out of paper or other natural materials can be composted – paper and cloth are both biodegradable, but other materials are not, so it’s essential to ensure that your filters don’t have a wax coating, metal border, or any other artificial elements (for example, some white coffee filters are treated with bleach and/or other chemicals).

Recycle Coffee Pods

Recycling certain coffee pods is now achievable here in Liverpool City Region, thanks to Podback’s drop off service.

Podback is a nationwide coffee pod recycling service set up and funded by the leading coffee pod systems, Nespresso, NESCAFE Dolce Gusto and Tassimo.

Learn more via the Podback website.

Coffee on the Go

While brewing coffee at home is considered to be the most environmentally friendly method to prepare it, coffee on the go is often a more viable option when life gets busy.

Our advice on this matter would be to opt for local, independent retailers, as they tend to source Fairtrade coffee locally.

A lot of local coffee shops also sell ‘keep cups’, which can be used upon your return to purchase. They are often incentivised too, with many coffee shops offering discounts when using keep cups during the sale transaction.

The Bottom Line on Coffee

We understand that the same idea doesn’t work for everyone, due to various reasons such as tastes and schedules. The above suggestions are just some of the ways in which we can reduce waste created by coffee.

There are other coffee-making devices such as drip machines and percolators which may help you on your journey to cutting back on your coffee waste. Additionally reusable cotton filters and stainless-steel filters are worth researching in greater detail (both options typically work with standard drip machines and pour-overs).

Whatever option you decide to pursue, we hope you keep enjoying coffee in healthy moderation. If none of the above suggestions work for you, then don’t beat yourself up about it, as there are other ways in which we can reduce waste and our carbon footprint…

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to find out more.

World Vegetarian Day (Sunday 1 October)

Sunday 1 October also marks World Vegetarian Day!

As previously mentioned in the August edition of Food for Thought (under the ‘National Burger Day’ section), vegetarianism and veganism have grown in popularity in recent years – with the desire to achieve a less carbon-intensive impact when it comes to food choices as one of several main reasons why.

Adopting vegetarian, vegan or even ‘flexitarian’ diets are a great way of shrinking our carbon footprint and subsequent impacts on climate change.

Environmental reasons aside, another hugely appealing factor is that there are a whole range of vegetarian foods and recipes which are both delicious and nutritious – even to the most ardent meat eaters!

The Love Food Hate Waste website has a great variety of vegetarian recipes – both sweet and savoury – to try at home. From Quick Ciabatta Pizza to Leftover Chocolate Fridge Cake, there are plenty of innovative ways to treat our taste buds with vegetarian delights.

Besides embracing new ways to eat vegetarian foods, composting organic waste produced by vegetables and other vegetarian foods is a great way to reduce carbon emissions. If you would like to learn more, you can get involved by joining our home composting project.

Single Use Plastic Ban (Sunday 1 October)

By now, many of us will know how much of a talking point plastic pollution has become over the last few decades – owing largely to the threat it holds against maritime creatures and biodiversity.

A report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation cited that there will be more plastic than fish (by weight) in our oceans by the year 2050, if we carry on using plastic at the current rate.

However, there’s some encouraging steps being made in the UK…

From Sunday 1 October, DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) will be introducing a ban on certain single use plastic food utensils.

Single use plastic cutlery, and polystyrene cups and food containers will be banned, while there will also be a restriction to the supply of single-use plastic trays and bowls to members of the public – although businesses can continue to supply these items if they are used as packaging in shelf-ready pre-packaged food items.

More information and resources for businesses and organisations affected by the ban can be found here.

National Curry Week (Monday 2 – Sunday 8 October)

National Curry Week takes place from Monday 2 – Sunday 8 October 2023.

In recent years, curry has been heralded by various sources as one of Britain’s most-loved home cooked dishes, so it makes complete sense as to why there is a whole national celebration in honour of this sumptuous, spicy cuisine!

As stated on the official National Curry Week website:

“The very first National Curry Week took place in October 1998 and was founded by the late Peter Grove. (…) This year will be the 25th National Curry Week and we’re committed to making it bigger and better than ever!”

Whilst the event highlights eating curry from restaurants and takeaways as a great way to support local businesses, it also features tips on ways you can host your own curry night through cooking various recipes or putting on a ‘pot luck spread’, with each guest bringing their own curry dish to the table!

Whether you are in need of inspiration to celebrate, or you’re looking for homemade dishes you can enjoy all year round, the Love Food Hate Waste website features a list of curry recipes and information on just some of the contributory ingredients.

We’re sure it’s ‘naan of our business’ if you choose to celebrate, but we know what we’ll be doing!

National Taco Day (Wednesday 4 October)

Wednesday 4 October sees the return of National Taco Day, providing food lovers with a great chance to celebrate this marvellous Mexican sandwich equivalent.

Instead of using bread, a hard or soft tortilla (depending on your fancy) is wrapped or folded around a spicy filling consisting of meat, fish, vegetables, or beans (or a combination – again, depending on your taste preferences).

As with many homemade recipes, tacos are a great way of using up leftovers – whether you’ve got some leftover chilli, or some rogue fresh vegetables kicking about the salad drawer, you really can’t lose when it comes to getting creative with this popular delicacy.

To showcase the breadth of the taco’s versatility, we’ve rounded up a few recipes for you to peruse and try at home:

World Porridge Day (Tuesday 10 October)

Now in its 15^th year, World Porridge Day returns on Tuesday 10 October.

Initially set up by Scottish Charity, Mary’s Meals, back in 2009, the event has achieved great success in its mission to provide one good meal every school day for hungry children living in 18 of the world’s poorest countries.

Aside from this important feat, World Porridge Day also provides an ample reminder of just how tasty and nutritional a comforting bowl of oatmeal is… Not least at a time when the Autumn weather is creeping in!

Enjoyable on its own or topped with fruit, nuts, chocolate chips and other sweet ingredients, there are plenty of reasons to love porridge.

From porridge with quick berry compote, figs & pistachios to apple & linseed porridge, BBC Good Food features an array of ways you can liven up your morning (of afternoon, if you prefer!) bowl of oats.

Or, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can learn all about how to turn stale rye bread into porridge, courtesy of this 2022 article from The Guardian.

Word Egg Day (Friday 13 October)

Friday 13^th may be unlucky for some, but if you’re an egg lover, then you’re actually in luck, as the superstitious date coincides with World Egg Day!

Established in 1996 at the International Egg Commission’s Vienna conference, this annual occasion celebrates the versatility and nutritional value of this popular food item.

Boil them, poach them, fry them, scramble them… Make an omelette if you please! Eggs are lauded for their adaptability, having formed part of many a breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack over the years.

They’re also a good source of protein and rich in Omega 3 (characteristics which have helped their reputation as “superfoods’).

If all that wasn’t enough, eggs are an excellent example of a zero-waste food, as their shells can be crushed and mixed with other organic waste in compost bins (if you would like to learn more, you can get involved by joining our home composting project).

From simple everyday meals to more eggs-travagant dishes, BBC Good Food has a great list of egg recipes, whilst Love Food Hate Waste provides great storage tips to ensure your eggs don’t go to waste.

World Bread Day (Monday 16 October)

Monday 16 October welcomes the return of the annual World Bread Day, which was initiated by the International Union of Bakers and Confectioners (UIBC) as a way of celebrating this much-loved staple food.

Whilst bread is hugely popular, it’s unfortunately a food item which often goes to waste. To put the extent of bread waste into perspective, it has been reported by Love Food Hate Waste that if we stopped binning bread, it could do the same for greenhouse gas emissions as planting 5.3 million trees!

While we’re on the subject of bread, it’d be rude not to share some recipes to try at home! As previously featured in the August edition of Food for Thought, here is a slow cooker bread recipe* which is as easy to make as it is to eat…

Visit here to view the slow cooker bread recipe: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/slow-cooker-bread.

*We have opted to share a slow cooker bread, as this is a more energy-efficient way to bake, meaning that it’s less carbon-intensive and therefore less of a contributor towards climate change. However, if you do not have access to a slow cooker at home, there are plenty of oven cooker homemade bread recipes online to explore via a search engine of your choosing! BBC Good Food is generally a good place to start – although, if you’re looking to introduce a twist to your afternoon tea sandwiches, this list of zero waste sourdough discard recipes from the Zero Waste Chef is also handy!

Recycle Week 2023 (Monday 16 – Sunday 22 October)

A key part of WRAP’s Recycle Now campaign, the 20th annual Recycle Week will take place Monday 16 – Sunday 22 October 2023.

With a focus on missed capture of items that can be recycled at home, the theme this year is The Big Recycling Hunt and the campaign is a week of action which brings the nation together to recycle more of the right things, more often.

To coincide with this year’s Recycle Week, Recycle Right will be a running a Liverpool City Region-wide campaign aimed at tackling recycling contamination.

For the relevance of this blog, it is worthy to note that food waste contamination is surprisingly more common than you think…

Greasy pizza boxes, takeaway trays and yogurt pots are just some of the common contaminants which reach recycling collections across Liverpool City Region* (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral).

To learn more about how to stop contamination and recycle right in your area, visit https://recycleright.org.uk/.

*St Helens also forms part of Liverpool City Region, but offers a different recycling collection service which is currently undergoing a raft of changes – all of which can be viewed here.

Apple Day (Saturday 21 October)

Initially launched in 1990 by Common Ground, Apple Day returns on Saturday 21 October – just over a month on from International Eat and Apple Day, which took place on 16 September.

As reported on in the September edition of Food for Thought, Love Food Hate Waste have a whole host of information on how you can store, eat and avoid wasting this firm favourite – with seasonality and nutritional information also available!

Whether you like your apples just as they are, added to sweet or savoury dishes, or even in a smoothie, visiting the Love Food Hate Waste website will send you on your way to celebrating this day in delicious style.

Fun fact: Apples have been hailed as a superfood which can reduce the risk of many major diseases, including diabetes and cancer. They can also promote weight loss and gut health – it’s little wonder why the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” has sealed its status in society!

World Pasta Day (Wednesday 25 October)

First established in 1995 by the World Pasta Congress, World Pasta Day returns on Wednesday 25 October.

A comforting staple food, pasta has proven to be very popular with food lovers worldwide, as it is quick and easy to cook and can be prepared in many different ways.

Dried pastas especially are a great example of a zero-waste food, as they have a shelf life of 2 – 5 years! Fresh pasta may not last anywhere near as long but can be frozen for up to four weeks from its use by date.

The Love Food Hate Waste website has more tips on how to prevent your pasta from going to waste, while Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking features a simple two-ingredient homemade pasta recipe if you’re ready to embrace your inner chef.

Looking for more ways to enjoy your pasta? Check out this list of 85 pasta recipes, courtesy of Taste of Home.

National Cheese Toastie Day (Friday 27 October)

Established in 2020 by The Yorkshire Creamery, Friday 27 October marks the fourth year of National Cheese Toastie Day.

According to The Yorkshire Creamery, cheese toasties are the UK’s favourite lunch option, with an estimated 4.3 billion consumed by Brits annually! With this list of recipes on hand, it’s hardly any wonder why – who knew that there were so many ways to enjoy a cheese toastie?

Hardcore lovers of this dairy delight know all too well that buying bigger blocks of cheese is often the cheapest option. For some, this isn’t a problem, as the cheese will often be eaten prior to its ‘best before’ date. For others, the cheaper option of a bigger block of cheese often ends up going to waste.

The good news is that you can stretch the shelf life of cheese by grating it, placing in a sealed bag or container, and freezing for up to two months – what’s more, this is ideal for making cheese toasties!

Visit the Love Food Hate Waste website to find out more on how you can get full use out of your cheese.

Halloween (Tuesday 31 October)

Tuesday 31 October marks the return of one of the most popular holidays to grace our annual calendar… We are, of course, referring to Halloween!

For many, Halloween is a great opportunity to dress up as something scary… For us, it’s a chance to address something scary!

While it’s not our intention to discourage the fang-tastic fun that comes with Halloween, it is our duty of care to inform residents of the startling facts on pumpkin waste – and, more importantly, ways in which we can prevent it from happening.

Pumpkin Food Waste Facts

In 2022, it was reported by the Sustainable Food Trust that of the estimated 39.9 million pumpkins that are bought per year, 22.2 million will go to waste. Furthermore, Hubbub – the organisers of the annual ‘Eat Your Pumpkin’ campaign – have calculated that this staggering figure equates to £32.6 million worth of food waste!

So, what can we do to prevent pumpkins from going to waste?

Use battery-powered tea lights to keep the inside fresh enough to eat later. Both Hubbub and Love Food Hate Waste feature a range of tips and recipes to help you get the most out of your pumpkins, post-Halloween.

If your pumpkins are no longer edible and you have a compost bin, smash up your pumpkins and add them to the other organic waste inside your compost bin. If you would like to learn more about composting, you can get involved by joining our home composting project.

Download the Pumpkin Amnesty resource pack, as featured on the Recycle Right website – this is a handy resource for residents, while there is also a resource pack for organisations and community groups to start collection centres for composting.

Sensibly Packaged Sweets and Homemade Treats

Away from pumpkins, another way of cutting down on food waste at Halloween is by addressing the treats you have at parties and/or to give away for Trick or Treat.

Purchasing sweets that are packaged in paper bags or wrapped in paper (as a way of reducing plastic waste) is definitely more friendly for the environment – just remember to check that the paper is clean before recycling after use (there’s more information available about this on the Recycle Right website).

Purchasing jars of sweets in bulk along with paper bags to make up your own treat bags is a good way of avoiding plastic. Local confectioners such as The Sweets & Gift Company in Liverpool, Quay Confectionery in Royal Albert Dock, RS Fine Chocolate in Southport and Newbridge Confectionery in Wirral are just a few retailers who have such options available, while Handy Candy and Sweets in the City are good online choices.

Another way of going green for Halloween is making homemade treats. From eerie eyeball cake pops to scary skeleton biscuits, BBC Good Food features a great list of homemade Halloween recipes for you to try this year.

That’s a wrap!

Please note, with the exception of MRWA-published documents, external links feature within this article are not officially endorsed by MRWA and are for reference and information purposes only.

Hello and welcome to the September 2023 edition of the Zero Waste LCR Food for Thought blog.

This monthly round-up of food-related dates features tips, recipes and facts which aim to help Liverpool City Region residents cut down on food waste to protect our planet for future generations…

Food Waste in Liverpool City Region

The Good News

So, without further ado, dig in and enjoy!

Organic September (1 – 30 September)

Founded by the Soil Association, Organic September primarily champions the breadth of benefits produced from organic farming and food production.

The annual campaign not only educates people on how organic farming is good for people, plants, animals, and the planet, but also provides an opportunity for organic businesses to unite and promote their respective offers.

Want to learn more? Head here: https://www.soilassociation.org/take-action/organic-living/organic-september/.

Home Composting with Zero Waste LCR

For us, Organic September is a befitting occasion to promote our Home Composting project.

Residents across the six districts of Liverpool City Region (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Wirral) are eligible to become a member of the Home Composting Network, free of charge.

Upon signing up and becoming members, residents will receive a free compost bin*, a ‘How To, guide, composting tips, and subscription to our composting e-newsletter.

Why compost?

Composting is a great way of turning organic waste (including food scraps and garden trimmings) into a rich fertiliser to use on your lawn and plants. Rather than going to residual waste and feeding climate change, these organic materials can be reused to boost productivity in your garden!

Find out more and sign up today at www.zerowastelcr.com/working-towards-zero-waste/get-involved/.

Sourdough September (1 – 30 September)

Now celebrating its 10^th year since being launched by the Real Bread Campaign back in 2013, Sourdough September embarks upon a “mission to help everyone worldwide to discover that life’s sweeter with sourdough”…

As stated on the official website, “the main aims of #SourdoughSeptember are encouraging people to:

Bake genuine sourdough bread.
Buy genuine sourdough bread from small, independent bakeries.
Boost the Real Bread Campaign, the charity behind Sourdough September.”

Furthermore, the Sustainable Food Trust say that:

“Sourdough bread made with local, organic flour is perhaps the most sustainable bread of all. It entirely avoids the chemical fertilisers used in producing commercial wheat and yeast, as well as the carbon used in transporting this wheat and yeast hundreds of miles from source to factory to retail outlets. An organic, sourdough loaf is the ultimate real bread and, what’s more, it tastes fantastic.”

Have we convinced you to embrace the power of sour yet?

If so, you may want to try baking this recipe at home, or stop by your local bakery to purchase some.

National Tofu Day (1 September)

Friday 1 September marks National Tofu Day.

In recent years, tofu has caused great debate. Many food-lovers herald tofu as healthy superfood which can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, while others consider it to be a bland food choice to opt for.

Then there’s the whole environmental debate, with some sources claiming that tofu may have a bigger impact on climate change than some meats.

We’re here to shed some light on matters, and to advise residents across the region what are the best choices to make when purchasing tofu.

How is tofu made?

As explained via nationaltoday.com:

“Tofu is born from curdled soy milk pressed into a solid block and cooled. Preparing tofu is similar to the production of dairy cheese, where you curdle and solidify milk. Unlike cheese making, you need to discard the whey and press the curds to form a solid.”

So, why the controversy?

Global demand for soy has caused “vast amounts of deforestation and habitat conversion in some of the world’s most precious places”, according to WWF.

On first impression, many may make the aversion that we should instantly dismiss tofu on this basis.

However, WWF also caveat the deforestation claim by explaining “over 75% of all soy produced is used to feed animals that we then consume”.

Furthermore, reports such as this one from the Environmental Working Group have illustrated that the greenhouse gas emissions created by 1kg of tofu are less when compared with greenhouse gas emissions created by meats.

Food choices that are friendlier for the environment

That said, there are ways we can purchase both tofu and meat in a way which has less of a detrimental effect on the environment (scroll to the ‘National Burger Day’ section – near the end of our August 2023 Food for Thought blog – to find out more about the latter).

As for tofu, some positive news is that most of the leading brands in the UK avoid using soy from areas of risk – so, it’s likely that if you do purchase tofu from your local store, it will be more ethically in tune with the environment. To be certain that it is, look out for organic food accreditations on the tofu’s packaging.

Taste-ify your tofu!

Whether you’re a long-time admirer of tofu, or you’re yet to be convinced, here is a list of a few taste bud-tantalising recipes which may take your fancy:

World Coconut Day (2 September)

Saturday 2 September marks World Coconut Day… And there are plenty of reasons to celebrate!

The coconut plant and its various components provide plenty of uses. Fibres from coconut husks are used to make ropes, mats, mattresses and even car seats, whilst palm fonds from coconut trees are often used as a roofing material. In addition, coconut oil has been lauded for its cosmetic properties, as it is often used on skin and hair.

But the real reason we’re here is to celebrate the nutritious, versatile characteristics which make coconuts such a well-loved food! Adding the likes of coconut water, coconut milk, coconut oil and desiccated coconut to other food items which need using up is a great way of reducing food waste.

Coconuts are used in a variety of dishes, treats and drinks… And the great news is that BBC Good Food features a range of recipes to try at home! Spicy coconut noodle soup, sweet potato and coconut curry, fudgy coconut brownies, and banana, coconut & cardamon bread are just a few of the savoury delights and sweet treats available to peruse.

Zero Waste Week (4 – 8 September)

As quoted on the official Zero Waste Week website:

“#ZeroWasteWeek is an award-winning, grassroots annual awareness campaign that takes place online and on-the-ground.

It helps householders, businesses, organisations, schools, universities and community groups reduce landfill waste so you can save money, preserve resources and protect the environment.”

For the relevance of food waste particularly, Zero Waste Week plays an important role in addressing our need to compost organic foods, whilst also focussing on issues such as how food is packaged, stored, and transported. Reminders to buy loose food items and reuse bags whilst shopping are simple, everyday tips, but their significance should not be underestimated…

In a 2016 report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, it was predicted that if behavioural trends continue as they are, there will be more plastic than fish (by weight) in our oceans by 2050. The detrimental effects such pollution would cause is beyond devastating.

As stated via UNESCO’s Ocean Literacy Portal:

“Plastic pollution is undoubtedly an issue that requires worldwide cooperation. Its consequences affect the whole planet and its inhabitants: it threatens ocean health, the health of marine species, food safety and quality, human health, coastal tourism, and contributes to climate change.

Reducing the presence of plastic in our oceans will not only allow us to save marine species and ecosystems, but will improve our overall health and that of the environment in general, helping us fight climate change and working towards a more sustainable future.”

Not wasting food is crucial, but so too is the need to reduce buying foods packaged in single use plastic. Luckily, there are organisations close to home who can help tackle this problem.

Visit our Zero Waste Map to discover a range of refill shops across Liverpool City Region.

National Blackberry Day (12 September)

Tuesday 12 September marks National Blackberry Day.

Occurring during the middle of the peak season for blackberries, this day is mooted as the perfect time to enjoy this delicious fruit.

Where to get blackberries

When it comes to seeking blackberries in a sustainable manner, foraging responsibly or buying local during peak season (August to October) are good points to consider.

Foraging is the act of searching for and picking food – typically wild fruits and vegetables, including blackberries… When it comes to foraging blackberries responsibly, don’t put greed before need! Only pick in areas of abundance and remember to leave some for birds and animals that might also like to eat them. Blackberry plants are typically found in parks or public gardens, so these would be a good place to start your blackberry-picking journey.

Alternatively, some farms offer either fruit picking experiences or fresh produce at onsite shops. The likes of Claremont Farm in Bebington, Wirral, Church View Farm in Lydiate and Lyncroft Farm in Ormskirk are just a few examples in and around Merseyside.

Buying your blackberries from local, organic retailers – as featured on our Zero Waste Map – is also a good option to consider.

While some supermarkets do sell organic fruits such as blackberries, it’s key to note that these typically have a higher carbon footprint and do not usually have the same taste quality as local produce, due to fresh food transportation and shelf life, among other factors. That said, we understand that the general busy nature of life gets in the way, and that buying fruit from the supermarket is sometimes the only option! And if convenience plays a big influence on how you shop for blackberries (and in general), then supermarkets aren’t the only way to go…

Apps such as Oddbox, Fruitly, Olio and Too Good to Go are just a few online delivery methods you can pursue. The best part? All these apps play a key role in preventing food waste!

What are the best ways to enjoy blackberries?

Fruit lovers will know that eating blackberries just as they are is a juicy burst of goodness that pleases the taste buds.

However, just like all other fruits and vegetables, blackberries can become overripe if they are not eaten in a timely manner. This is where storage options and homecooked recipes save the day…

As stated on the Love Food Hate Waste website, blackberries are best stored in their original packaging in the fridge and are also suitable for home freezing!

Blackberries are also incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in a number of homemade recipes. This article from Delicious Magazine features a whopping 37 blackberry recipes which you can try at home. Featuring sumptuous savoury delights and a range of sweet treats, this article is testament to how you can make the humble blackberry go the extra mile!

Liverpool Global Goals Week (15 – 24 September)

2030 Hub’s Liverpool Global Goals Week takes place from Friday 15 – Sunday 24 September and serves as a reminder to residents within the city and the rest of the region of the stark challenge climate change presents – and ways in which we can fight back.

For the relevance of this blog, one of the 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) set out by the United Nations back in 2015 is ‘No Hunger’.

Food waste is not only a significant contributor to climate change, but it is also a deprivation to people who are subject to food poverty. Alarmingly though, as outlined in this report by Edie, none of the 17 SDGs are on track to be achieved by 2030, with the progress of ‘No Hunger’ declared as ‘stagnating’.

Liverpool and its fellow City Region districts all have a big part to play in getting the goal of ‘No Hunger’ back on track. Householders, businesses, organisations, schools, universities and community groups can collectively contribute towards this goal – in addition to all of the other significant SDGs – and it will be interesting to listen and learn from the discussions which Liverpool Global Goals Week presents on the path to creating a better world.

British Food Fortnight (16 September – 1 October)

As stated on the official Love British Food website:

“British Food Fortnight 2023 takes place 16th September to 1st October 2023.

This is the 22nd year of the national celebration of the diverse and delicious food that Britain produces.

British Food Fortnight 2023 is set to be the biggest and most popular yet with communities and organisations across the country making plans to take part.”

Schools, hospitality providers, various NHS Trusts, the University Caterers Commission, retailers, care homes, communities and food festivals will all be taking part in the annual event, while Love British Food’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages will all be a hive of activity.

With sustainability and climate change high on the agenda, this event serves as a timely reminder of why buying British fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy and seafood are all tasty, nutritional choices which are better for the environment.

Find out how you can get involved here: https://www.lovebritishfood.co.uk/british-food-fortnight-2023.

International Eat an Apple Day (16 September)

Saturday 16 September is International Eat an Apple Day and the good folks at Love Food Hate Waste have a whole host of information on how you can store, eat and avoid wasting this firm favourite – with seasonality and nutritional information also available!

World Paella Day (20 September)

Wednesday 20 September is World Paella Day!

As stated on the official World Paella Day website:

“World Paella Day is a recognition to the most universal plate of Spanish gastronomy. A day in which the Valencians share our great dish with the rest of the world to celebrate, beyond recipes and ingredients, the internationality of the paella. A meal of humble Valencian origin that has transcended all borders. With eight million yearly searches on the internet, making it the fourth most important dish on the planet.”

For us, this savoury Spanish special is a wish dish in terms of preventing leftover rice meat, fish and / or vegetables from going to waste.

To celebrate, we have rounded up a few recipes which may be of interest for you to try at home:

Seed Gathering Season (23 September – 23 October)

Organised by the Tree Council, their official website states:

“Our annual Seed Gathering Season encourages everyone to join us in gathering seeds, fruits and nuts and nurturing the trees of the future. Beginning on 23 September, the autumn equinox, Seed Gathering Season is the perfect start to autumn. 2023 will mark our 23rd Seed Gathering Season, a fantastic way to get everyone from volunteer Tree Wardens and member organisations to local communities and families to start growing their own trees.”

Among the resources on offer from the Tree Council are a Seed ID Guide and a Guide to Spotting Tree Seeds.

If you’re wanting to get involved in this year’s seed gathering season, the official website of local woodlands, The Mersey Forest, offers great advice on how to do so. Visit here to find out more: https://www.merseyforest.org.uk/news/get-involved-this-seed-gathering-season/.

That’s a wrap!

Please note, with the exception of MRWA-published documents, external links feature within this article are not officially endorsed by MRWA and are for reference and information purposes only.

Plastic free July is a global movement that helps people reduce their plastic waste and form eco-friendly habits. In her ongoing attempts to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, our Contracts and Operations Officer Karen joined in the movement. Read below to see how she got on…

Last year I decided to try to go plastic free and so signed up to the Plastic Free July challenge.

It was certainly a learning curve and I started by doing a “plastic inventory” and began by looking at what disposable plastic items I had around the house and what options there were for swapping plastics for other packaging.

“I wasn’t starting completely from scratch”

So, this year, when I signed up again, it was interesting to look back on the changes I had made then, what I had kept and what had fallen by the wayside. As I wasn’t starting completely from scratch this time around, I also wanted to see what else I could change going forward.

The changes which I have maintained over the year, were things like swapping laundry pods to soap powder; using a water filter and refill bottles rather than buying bottled water; using bath bombs rather than bubble bath in plastic bottles; shampoo and conditioner bars; bars of soap rather than liquid soap; beeswax food wraps and swapping from products in plastic bottles to glass. I even found soap infused sponges rather than shower gel.

I was starting to feel really pleased with myself and thought that my plastic free campaign was a success. Sadly, on looking again at the range of disposable plastics around the house I realised that this was not the case. The kitchen wasn’t too bad as a lot of the products could be swapped for glass (although I still haven’t got the knack of getting the ketchup out of the bottle!). I made a batch of sweet chilli jam (and used old jars- so plastic free and reuse- win win!) I even started to make my own humus as I bought at least one tub per week.

“I was determined to keep to just shopping where loose fruit veg was an option”

Although I had also started buy loose fruit and veg and meat from the butchers rather than in prepacked plastic wrap, I hadn’t really managed to keep to this. Not all shops sell fruit & veg loose, or have a butcher on site, so sometimes when I was in these shops, it was far more convenient to buy the wrapped food “just this once” rather than travel five miles to different shops. Unfortunately, “just this once” became a regular habit. So this July I was determined to keep to just shopping where loose fruit veg etc was an option. Bread was a bit of a faff though- almost all the bread in the supermarkets was wrapped in plastic- even the freshly baked bread. I could get some, but it was more like the rolls rather than sliced bread, or I could go to well-known high-street bakers. Most frozen food was out of bounds as it’s all packaged in plastic. I always bought frozen fruit and veg as a way of reducing food waste so this was bit of a dilemma. Was I prepared to swap convenience for plastic free? As I had committed to doing as much as I could this month, I decided to give it a go.

Preparing food is time consuming and if I’m being honest, really inconvenient; it certainly isn’t a practical option for a busy family. Also, looking in my cupboard at the accumulation of plastic containers, without some considerable outlay, all I had in the way of storage was plastic. (The wax wraps don’t work in the freezer, but even if they did, they would be way too expensive to use!) So, I have decided to gradually replace the plastic for other material, but this will definitely be over time. I’ve managed to swap things like kitchen roll and toilet roll to packets with paper wrappers and use paper carrier bags rather than the plastic bags for life. I even noticed that one supermarket is now selling meat stock in cans. As a lucky coincidence, a leaflet was posted through the door recently advertising a new milk man in the area so I’ve signed up for this.

“I had decided to make my own, all-purpose cleaner”

The main culprits were cleaning products and cosmetics/bathroom stuff. I found a business doing refills. It supplies a range of items such as cleaning products, cosmetics and other household goods that are either disposable or refills and they deliver to your door, but they can be expensive. You can get refills for washing up liquids, but you have to commit to a monthly subscription which was about £10 per month. It is virtually impossible to get plastic free affordable alternatives for these products. I had decided to make my own, all-purpose cleaner and use a refillable glass container to cut back on all the plastic bottles. It seemed like a good idea in theory, but all the ingredients I needed came in plastic packaging!

I’ve swapped my disposable plastic biro for a refillable metal one. But again, the cost difference is an issue. I also found a “recipe” to make my own wax food wraps, so I am going to give that a go. It will certainly help reduce costs- but again, looking on the internet- most of the things needed come in plastic!

So sadly one year on, I’m still finding the same challenges. Going plastic free is difficult due to the lack of choices, the cost of alternative solutions and time consuming. The message is out there- and we all get it, unfortunately, the infrastructure to enable us to make the change hasn’t really caught up.

“Going cold turkey on plastic in one go was a bit overwhelming”

I think my main advice would be change what you can when you can. As the saying goes “every little helps”. I don’t believe it’s possible to go completely single use plastic free in one go. Set realistic targets for yourself to reduce your plastic usage. That way you will feel a sense of achievement not disappointment or failure. Perhaps focus on one type of plastic at a time (i.e. reusable drinks bottles, or carrier bags) and get that right before you move on to others. Going cold turkey on plastic in one go was a bit overwhelming and definitely challenging, but it certainly highlights just how dependent we are on plastic. But I also learnt that there options out there and as a consumer there are more choices coming onto the market.

Who knows, over the next 12 months with a bit more pressure on the big supermarkets to change, we may find the choices easier to make, which is the only real way change can be implemented and sustained.

Our thanks to Karen for telling us about her plastic free journey and trying to adopt a zero waste lifestyle. Any external links in the article are not officially endorsed by MRWA and are for reference and information purposes only. Any opinions expressed are that of individuals not of MRWA.

Hello and welcome to the August 2023 edition of the Zero Waste LCR Food for Thought blog.

This monthly round-up of food-related dates features tips, recipes and facts which aim to help Liverpool City Region residents cut down on food waste to protect our planet for future generations…

Food Waste in Liverpool City Region

The Good News

So, without further ado, dig in and enjoy!

National Allotments Week (Monday 7 – Sunday 13 August)

As quoted by The National Allotments Society’s official website:

2023 marks the 21st year of National Allotments Week.

For the past two decades, The National Allotment Society and their members have used this period to engage the public in the world of allotments and publicize the benefit of allotment gardening for communities, individuals, and the planet.

This year, National Allotments Week will run from 7th-13th August with the theme of Soil Health.

Good soil health is widely accepted as way to improve yield when growing edibles but also contributes positively to biodiversity and the environment as the world faces more climate challenges. The NAS hope that this National Allotments Week will inform and educate gardeners old and new about the benefit of caring for the soil and the creatures that inhabit it.

Whether you lease or own an allotment, or you’re an avid gardener, National Allotments Week is not only a good way of engaging with the advice and resources available via The National Allotments Society’s website, but it’s also a good chance to reflect on this year’s theme and consider the soil health of your land and plants.

Quick tip: If you don’t own a water butt and/or you’re looking to reduce using a water hose, we have a sustainable way of gathering water for your plants:

Before turning on your shower, place a bucket inside.
Then, turn on your shower, allowing the bucket to capture the cold water before your shower reaches optimal temperature.
Remove bucket from shower and place to one side for later use on your garden. You can use the water to hydrate your grass and plants. This simple hack also works with a wide rim watering can and is a great way of preventing water waste and helping to maintain your garden and growing crops!

Want to pick up more handy gardening tips? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to view our latest gardening and plant-growing hacks.

National Afternoon Tea Week (Monday 7 – Sunday 13 August)

National Afternoon Tea Week is traditionally a great chance for people to go out with their loved ones and make the most of discounts and offers for this quintessential British treat across the country.

While this is a great incentive to dine out and support local businesses, there are other ways we can celebrate the joys of afternoon tea if the locations on offer are out of reach… By embracing homemade recipes!

According to a 2021 article from Sustainability Matters Daily, homemade cooking is beneficial for the environment because:

It gives us complete control over the sources of our ingredients.
It allows us to control food and packaging waste.
The energy consumption of a domestic kitchen is lower than that of a commercial kitchen.
It’s healthier for you, the environment, and your money.

With all the above points in mind, here’s a selection of recipes covering some of the foods that make up this quirky, delectable delight which has become a stalwart of British cuisine:

Slow Cooker Bread

Sandwiches are the savoury staple of afternoon tea, which is why we had to feature slow cooker bread* on our list!

Visit here to view the slow cooker bread recipe: www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/slow-cooker-bread.

If you’re stuck for ideas on what sandwiches to make for your afternoon tea selection, then this list of recipes may help!

*We have opted to share a slow cooker bread, as this is a more energy-efficient way to bake, meaning that it’s less carbon-intensive and therefore less of a contributor towards climate change. However, if you do not have access to a slow cooker at home, there are plenty of oven cooker homemade bread recipes online to explore via a search engine of your choosing! BBC Good Food is generally a good place to start – although, if you’re looking to introduce a twist to your afternoon tea sandwiches, this list of zero waste sourdough discard recipes from the Zero Waste Chef is also handy!

Homemade Cakes

Credit-The-Zero-Waste-Chef-sourdough-chocolate-cake — Credit: The Zero Waste Chef

After you’ve eaten your afternoon tea sandwiches, odds are you’re going to be reaching for some scrumptious cakes – luckily enough, we have a couple of recipes on hand for you to peruse!

Scroll down to National Bakewell Tart Day in this blog to discover a tasty recipe courtesy of Love Food Hate Waste, or check out our World Chocolate Day blog from July, which features two zero waste chocolate cake recipes for you to try at home.

Homemade Scones

If you’re not reaching straight for the cake after you’ve eaten your afternoon tea sandwiches, then perhaps it’s a scone you fancy?

If so, here’s a great 3-ingredient zero waste recipe which will have you questioning “why have I not tried this before?” …

Posted back in June 2022 for the Too Good To Go Food-Saving Blog, this recipe is a great way of turning past-its-best yogurt into a firm afternoon tea favourite.

Quick Fruit Jam

Afternoon tea lovers know all too well that nothing goes down better with a scone than jam and cream. Or is it cream and jam? Does the order in which they go on even matter? Given the debate in recent years, we would say that it very much matters! But, alas, we digress…

While we may not be able to provide a definitive answer to the best order in which to apply jam and cream*, we can at least assist in giving you the method of how to make jam at home.

The great news? It’s super simple to make – and it stops overripe fruits from going to waste. Seriously, what’s not to love?

Check out this ‘Quick Fruit Jam’ recipe on the Love Food Hate Waste website – not only does it tell you how to make the sweet familiar favourite, it also tells you what to store it in, where to store it and what its shelf life is!

*A side note while we’re on the subject of cream – check out this list of tasty dairy-free alternatives which provide a lower carbon footprint (scroll towards end of article to find the ‘Dairy-Free Cream’ section).

Tea

We suppose you’re wondering, “What about the tea part?” … It is an afternoon tea we’re talking about, after all! Well, we’re using this opportunity to share a tip rather than a recipe.

If you’re looking to add a zero-waste twist to your tea, then the best advice we can give is to opt for loose leaf tea over tea bags.

Loose leaf tea has a depth of flavour, but the greatest environmental advantage it holds over its tea bag counterpart is that it is free from plastic.

Switching from tea bags to loose leaf tea is just one way we can move towards compostable, biodegradable waste and stop the microplastics contained in tea bags heading to landfill.

Available in a similar price bracket to tea bags, loose leaf tea can be purchased from a range of local retailers and online.

National Rice Pudding Day (Wednesday 9 August)

National Rice Pudding Day not only provides us with a chance to celebrate a traditional British sweet treat, but it also allows us the opportunity to remind dessert lovers of a great way to use leftover rice…

This recipe – posted back in January 2023 by Susan Jane White for the Irish Independent – is a great way to “combat climate change” to “give leftovers a lift-off”, as the article states.

Readers interested in making this comforting sweet dish can register for free* to read the article, which not only shares a great recipe but also provides some great insight to the effects that food waste has on the planet.

*Registration takes less than a minute to complete and is free of charge.

National Bakewell Tart Day (Friday 11 August)

Hailing from Bakewell, Derbyshire, the aptly named Bakewell Tart is up there with Britain’s best cakes and desserts.

One of the things which is so great about this sweet treat is that it’s a great way to use up overripe fruits – ensuring zero waste and maximum benefits!

If you’re stuck for a recipe, we’ve pulled one from the vault of Love Food, Hate Waste, which can be viewed below:

World Plant Milk Day (Tuesday 22 August)

For many, World Plant Milk Day is every day…Lactose intolerance and veganism are just two of the big drivers behind why some people are favouring dairy alternatives in their everyday lives.

However, there’s another big reason why even non-vegans and lactose tolerant people are favouring plant milk over its dairy counterpart: To reduce their carbon footprint.

According to studies sourced in this 2020 article from The Conversation, dairy is estimated to be around three times more greenhouse gas emission-intensive than plant-based milks.

Committing to dairy alternatives – be it occasionally or on a permanent basis – is just one of many ways a person can shrink the size of their carbon footprint.

Soy, almond, coconut, hazelnut, cashew, oat and rice milk are all great alternatives which offer similar shelf-life to dairy (once opened) and can act as a base for other food recipes, as demonstrated here by the official World Plant Milk Day website.

Furthermore, plant milk is used in other dairy alternatives such as cheese and yoghurt – meaning there are more ways of reducing our dairy intake beyond cutting cow’s milk.

The bottom line is that plant milk may not be for everybody, but it’s certainly worth a try. If dairy alternatives don’t work for you, then don’t beat yourself up about it – as Anne Marie Bonneau (aka The Zero Waste Chef) says: “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”

There are other ways beyond consuming dairy alternatives which can help us to reduce waste and our carbon footprint – follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to find out more.

National Burger Day (Thursday 24 August)

For many across the country, National Burger Day is a chance to celebrate one of their favourite tasty treats. For us, it is a chance to issue a reminder of more sustainable ways in which people can enjoy burgers… And, of course, to share some tasty recipes!

Beef Burgers

We all know how much of a hit beef burgers are on a global scale, never mind just here in the UK! These fast-food items have become a familiar option for people to eat across restaurants, takeaways, barbecues, and even as part of a tea-time meal at home.

So, what’s the beef?

Cows and other farm animals produce about 14% of human-induced climate emissions.

As is the case with dairy, the reason why beef has become a big talking point is because of the methane emissions produced by cows. A 2021 article from The Guardian stated that “cows and other farm animals produce about 14% of human-induced climate emissions”.

What can we do about it?

While choosing vegetarian or vegan alternatives – which we’ll come onto a little later – has universally grown to be accepted as the better option for humanity to reduce its carbon footprint in the beef vs the environment debate, we understand how big an ask something like this can be for accustomed meat-eaters.

Although beef consumption has been widely berated in recent years, there are high-welfare, eco-friendly options out there.

A 2020 article from The Guardian cites British, pasture-fed beef as a more environmentally friendly option when compared with imported produce. The article indicates that the best way to ensure you are making a strong ethical choice when purchasing beef is by checking the labelling. Labels to look out for when purchasing beef burgers in the future are ‘organic’, ‘Country of Origin’, ‘RSPCA Assured’, and ‘Pasture for Life’.

Buying beef burgers at your local butcher’s or checking quality mark labels are a good way to go when making purchases which are better for the environment.

Another more sustainable option would be to purchase beef burgers from a local butcher, as the meat which they sell tends to be sourced from local suppliers who practice sustainable farming, which helps to conserve the landscape and reduces the supply chain. Or if you’re dining out for your beef burger, restaurants such as Honest Burgers in Liverpool are a great way to eat British-reared, grass-fed beef.

Beyond making more sustainable-savvy beef purchases, reducing the amount you eat on a weekly basis and favouring less carbon-intensive meats such as chicken and turkey are other options to consider.

Embrace Flexible Eating Choices

The other option to consider for meat-eaters is to adopt more of a ‘flexitarian’ approach. As stated by BBC Good Food:

“Flexitarianism or ‘casual vegetarianism’ is an increasingly popular, plant-based diet that claims to reduce your carbon footprint and improve your health with an eating regime that’s mostly vegetarian yet still allows for the occasional meat dish. The rise of the flexitarian diet is a result of people taking a more environmentally sustainable approach to what they eat by reducing their meat consumption in exchange for alternative protein sources.”

Many meat-eaters are already embracing this approach, due to the uprise in readily available, affordable, and above all, tasty meat alternatives which have been popping up in fresh food and freezer aisles at the supermarket. Already established brands such as Quorn and Linda McCartney Foods have in recent years been joined by thriving vegan meat providers such as THIS, Beyond Meat and Oumph! – all of which provide a vast range of alternative meat products, including quality tasting burgers!

Credit: THIS

Even dining out has become more accessible with regards to being able to purchase sumptuous vegan burgers, thanks to the uprise in vegan menus at existing restaurants and takeaways, in addition to specialist vegan fast-food eateries such as Down The Hatch in Liverpool and Zero Clucks Given in Wirral, for example.

If vegetarian or vegan meat alternatives aren’t your thing, then there’s a whole host of recipes to try at home which incorporate vegan food items such as tofu, falafel, and quinoa to name a few. BBC Good Food has a range of delicious vegan burger recipes you can try here – many of which have received 4 – 5 star ratings!

That’s a wrap!

Please note, with the exception of MRWA-published documents, external links feature within this article are not officially endorsed by MRWA and are for reference and information purposes only.

With the growing need to use more and waste less firmly on the agenda as humanity does its bit to protect the planet for future generations, we are marking #WorldChocolateDay with a round-up of some of the best online zero waste chocolate recipes for you to try at home.

Featuring recipes for two different chocolate cakes, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate truffles and chocolate mousse, there’s plenty of choice to decide which zero waste chocolate treat(s) you will make! Enjoy…

Sourdough Discard Vegan Chocolate Cake

Starting us off is this out-of-the-ordinary Sourdough Discard Vegan Chocolate Cake from Anne-Marie Bonneau (also known as the Zero Waste Chef).

Achieving a rich consistency without eggs or dairy can seem like a challenge, but not when it comes to this delectable delight!

This recipe was originally published during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, inspiring readers into “using everything, wasting nothing, (and) opting for less-perishable foods that fall lower on the food chain”.

Find out how to make it here: zerowastechef.com/2020/04/27/sourdough-discard-vegan-chocolate-cake/.

Zero Waste Chocolate Chip Cookies

For those of us who are lovers of chocolate chip cookies, this next recipe brings a zero waste twist which satisfies the appetite for sustainability whilst treating the taste buds.

Promising a “soft and chewy” texture which will “melt in your mouth”, the biggest challenge readers will face when trying this recipe at this home is the urge not to eat them all straight away!

If you’re a fan of this old firm favourite, why not give this recipe a whirl?

Find out how to make the cookies here: www.greenify-me.com/2019/12/zero-waste-chocolate-chip-cookies.html

Chocolate Truffles

As far as zero waste recipes go, they don’t come much easier than these three-ingredient chocolate truffles, which could arguably be viewed as an upcycle on your regular chocolate bar!

Described as “a great way to revive aged chocolate that has lost its smooth texture into a fantastic taste experiment and delicious treat”, this recipe requires little effort and returns maximum benefits.

Whether you’re making them for yourself, to share or even as a gift, these little luxuries will be sure to satisfy those with a sweet tooth!

Find out how to make them here: https://www.tomsfeast.com/seasonal-recipes/waste-not-chocolate/

Zero Waste Chocolate Cake Recipe

Credit-Matchbox-Kitchen-zero-waste-chocolate-cake — Credit: Matchbox Kitchen

Next on our list is another vegan chocolate cake – however, this one has a different twist to it than the previously featured sourdough recipe…

Avocado has become a popular base for chocolate snacks in recent years. And forms the fat source for this tasty treat.

As with some of our previously featured recipes, this one not only gives us advice on how to make it, but also factors in some zero waste principals while discussing how to purchase the ingredients.

According to the article, “there is enough chocolate and cocoa powder in the recipe to cover any savoury notes of the avocado, though if you have a sensitive palate you will still taste a hint of it. Not that that’s a bad thing!”.

Find out how to make it here: http://www.matchboxkitchen.com/journal/zero-waste-chocolate-cake

Aquafaba Chocolate Mousse

When draining chickpea water from a tin, it’s often all too easy to just let the water go to waste and down into the sinkhole.

But what if we were to tell you that chickpea water (also known as “aquafaba”) is – as described in this BBC Scotland article – “actually a fantastic ingredient which can be used to replace egg whites in many recipes”?

In this case, the recipe in question is chocolate mousse – although, there is also a recipe for meringues in this particular feature!

Scroll down on this article to find out more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4HkdS1SxsKSG39fmyZRt0kJ/six-zero-waste-recipes-to-help-you-save-the-planet

We hope you have enjoyed our round-up of zero waste chocolate recipes! Perhaps you have a recipe of your own you want to share? If so, we’d love to hear from you with a view to sharing via our social media channels. Drop us a message or tag @zerowastelcr on Twitter and/or Instagram for your chance to be featured!

Please note, all articles referenced within this feature do not belong to official partners or affiliates of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, operating as Zero Waste LCR.

To mark #WorldSocialMediaDay (Friday 30 June), we are celebrating the zero heroes and green influencers who are using their social media platforms to help people adopt a zero waste lifestyle.

Whether you are looking for home cleaning hacks, tips on how to nurture plants and waste less food, or guidance on how to upcycle everyday items from clothes to furniture, we’ll be covering just some of the amazing social media influencers who are making a positive difference through methods which save money whilst protecting the planet…

Gemma Longworth

Kicking us off is Merseyside’s own Gemma Longworth! Born in Liverpool, Gemma has made a name for herself as part of the presentation team on Channel 4 series Find It, Fix It, Flog It.

Co-presenting alongside fellow Scouser, Simon O’Brien, and Henry Cole, Gemma can be found helping various participants of the popular daytime show in their quest to fix and upcycle unique furniture items… All with the aim of turning over a nifty profit!

Away from her star turn on the TV screen, Gemma often shares upcycle projects on her Instagram page, featuring everything from furniture to home décor to clothing and even footwear!

To keep up to date with all of Gemma’s latest projects, follow @gemma_longworth_diy on Instagram.

Nancy Birtwhistle

Up next is a lady perhaps most familiar to fans as a winner of the popular TV programme, The Great British Bake Off, having won Series 5 of the hit show…

Nancy Birtwhistle may have come to prominence as a creative master in the famous Bake Off tent, but she has since used her fame to spread her positive influence and become a bestselling author of books promoting green living.

Chances are, if you’re not finding handy tips in her books on everything from homemade cleaning remedies to preventing food waste to saving energy whilst cooking, that you will be finding them via her Instagram page.

To keep up to date with all of Nancy’s latest hacks, follow @nancy.birtwhistle on Instagram.

Anne-Marie Bonneau

Next on our list is Anne Marie Bonneau, also known as the “Zero-Waste Chef”…

Having made the leap to go plastic-free back in 2011, Anne-Marie has continued to embrace an environmentally friendly ethos, forging a stellar reputation as an author and blogger in the years since.

The Canadian-born influencer has used her creativity to produce various zero-waste recipes, which have subsequently inspired hundreds of thousands of followers to hone their culinary skills, whilst making small steps to protect the planet.

To keep up to date with all of Anne-Marie’s latest climate-saving tips and zero waste recipes, follow @zerowastechef on Instagram.

Armen Adamjan

Last, but certainly not least, is a man who has exploded onto millions of people’s social media feeds in recent years via a series of fast-paced, informative Instagram reels and TikTok videos.

Armen Adamjan – better known by his social media moniker, @creative_explained – is renowned for sharing plant hacks, which include a host of “grow your own” fruit and vegetables tips, as well as useful ways in which we can prevent other perishable food from going to waste.

Built on a reputation which has earned nicknames such as “Plant Jesus”, “Plant Ninja” and “The Dave Grohl of plants”, Armen also has a whole host of cleaning tips in his locker which not only make use of store cupboard ingredients, but also prevent the need to turn to shop-bought items, which often come in plastic packaging.

To keep up to date with all of Armen’s famous plant hacks and zero waste tips, follow @creative_explained on Instagram.

The above are just a select few from a growing movement of zero waste influencers. There are plenty more out there who are doing their best to enrich lives with wholesome, fulfilling tips which are great for personal wellbeing and protecting the planet for present and future generations.

Do you have any zero waste tips of your own? If so, we’d love to hear from you with a view to sharing via our social media channels. Drop us a message or tag @zerowastelcr on Twitter and/or Instagram for your chance to be featured!

Head back to our home page to discover a range of ways that you can start your zero waste journey today!

Please note, all influencers referenced within this feature are not official partners or affiliates of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, operating as Zero Waste LCR.

In the latest of our stories about real people trying to live a zero waste lifestyle, Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority Business Services Manager Jane Nolan tells us about a popular food-saving app.

So Jane, tell us what you’ve been up to?

In the spirit of Food Waste Action Week (6^th to 13^th March), I have been trialling several providers on the Too Good to Go App to fully understand the benefits.

How have you found it?

I was a bit sceptical at first as I assumed that the food that I would be picking up would have to be eaten on the day and that it was more of a last-minute decision if you happened to want food at a specific time. However, I soon realised that this was not the case. I selected four outlets over a period of four weeks and was amazed at what was provided. I purchased several £5 bags from a community supermarket which included a range of fruit and vegetables, gnocchi, cheeses, salads, pasta, meat, and vegan options.

What is the quality of the food like?

The fruit and vegetables were all still fresh and I stored them in my fridge for another week, the other foods had at least two days before their best before but were suitable for freezing. The value of the bags was estimated to be £10 but when checking the original price of the goods it was closer to £20.

I also got several bags from a local bakery, each bag was £3.33, with an actual retail value of over £10, again I would say the value was much more. The bags included freshly baked loaves, batches, filled baguettes, baked goods and cakes. Again, all the food was fresh and could be stored in the fridge or frozen. I gave the contents of the bags to my parents and other relatives, and it was amazing to see how far the contents of two bags went.

Is it just local bakeries and grocers?

No, I also got some bags from some high street coffee chains which included fruit, sandwiches, baked goods, and desserts. Again, the value of the bag far exceeded to £3 cost per bag.

So, would you recommend this type of app to others?

I feel that apps like this are a great way to reduce food waste, to save money on groceries even if you were to purchase just one bag during the week and the satisfaction of knowing you are doing something positive. I saved over £100 on the estimated value of the food and saved over 40kg of C02.

Our thanks to Jane for answering questions about adopting a zero waste lifestyle. Any external links in the article are not officially endorsed by MRWA and are for reference and information purposes only.

A Zero Hero’s Journey

What’s it like to adopt a zero waste lifestyle? Karen Martin is Contracts Officer at Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority so knows more than most about how reducing waste is important for the environment. We quizzed Karen on how her journey was coming along, any tips or tricks she’s picked up, and found out that living a zero waste life isn’t always straightforward, but is definitely rewarding.

What made you decide to try living a zero waste lifestyle?

I decided to try to go for zero waste as a result of seeing the detrimental environmental impacts that waste was having on the planet, and the legacy we were leaving for the younger generations. I think it was kickstarted as I initially decided to go plastic-free, but then one thing led to another and I decided to try and reduce waste wherever possible.

Also, as I work for Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority we promote zero waste/waste minimisation messages to residents, I felt that I ought to get on board and give it a go!

What elements of the zero waste lifestyle have you adopted? Have these changed as you’ve gained more experience?

I started by looking at what waste was being produced and what can be reduced and how. I started with packaging – how could I reduce it? One solution was to ditch all the different cleaning products that I had and rather than have something for everything, I went for one all-purpose cleaner. But I also went back to more traditional methods of cleaning such as using vinegar/lemons for washing the windows, surfaces etc. I changed from the plastic pods to soap powder (which wouldn’t lead to zero waste, but would really help to reduce it and also reduced the amount of non-recyclable waste). I started shopping differently and only buying fruit and veg loose so no more plastic wrapping (or paper bags even). I also get my meat from the butchers rather than pre-packed in plastic wrapping.

I started to look around for refill options which would again reduce any waste and I could refill reusable containers. I downloaded the Refill app. As a family we stopped buying bottled water and bought a water filter and re-usable drinks containers. I found a business called Refill Reuse Renew, which supplies a range of items such as cleaning products, cosmetics and other household goods that are either disposable or refills and they deliver to your door.

Food was an obvious opportunity to reduce waste. I went through the freezer and made a list of all the items that were in it and what meals could be made. I also stored the items in categories so meat was all together, fish, veg etc, so it was much easier to see at a glance what we had. Likewise with the fridge. When I go shopping I write a list of what we need and so don’t end up coming back home with something we already have. Buying fruit and veg loose also helped me reduce waste as I bought only what I needed for the week rather than multi packs. I started making more use of the freezer, including using it to store bread as I was constantly throwing bread out that had gone mouldy before it could be eaten. Cheese is also good to freeze and I started to blanch veg and freeze it to stop it going to waste. I have even made pickles and jams (which although use glass jars, can be reused when I make another batch).

When it comes to clothes or unwanted items etc I’ll take them to charity shops (and of course, whatever materials can go to a Recycling Centre).

I have bought a shredder for garden waste so any of shrubs that are cut back are shredded and used for mulch in the borders. I was always told that tea bags are good for roses so I’m also giving that a go.

I also noticed that Boots introduced a trial recycling service for make-up items that cannot go into the household recycling bins, so I have been using that also.

This is still early days so I’m still learning, but I’ve certainly started thinking about what I’m buying, why and how, to ensure that I can reduce producing waste whenever possible.

What have the main difficulties been? Has anything in particular surprised you?

I think the main difficulty was finding what was out there, where could I find reuse/refill shops, what alternatives there were to plastics, where I can buy unpackaged food. There were not many alternatives to plastic packaging on the market and they were extremely expensive in comparison. It was apparent that there weren’t many options for refill where I lived without travelling distances to get to them (so not having a car would be a real barrier, but then that raises the issue of all that driving!) I spent many hours searching the web to see what the options and advice was out there. When I did find it, I found information confusing and while I was trying to reduce plastics I learned that not all plastics are bad and not all glass is good when it comes to reuse and recycling.

Getting to grips with the different Apps was also a bit frustrating, but I never really used social media so that’s probably why. I signed up to Zero Waste LCR and refill sites for tips and advice.

Have you got any advice for those wishing to follow your footsteps into zero waste?

I think my main advice would be to think what you want to achieve before you start. I don’t think I could ever go completely waste free, I mean I’m not going to stop buying make-up or stop using all packaging so you need to set realistic targets for yourself. Perhaps focus on one waste type at a time (e.g. food) and get that right before you move on to others. I think I tried to do too much too soon and have ended up doing a little bit of everything and feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the information and the extent to which I needed to change how I shopped. I could no longer go to one shop for everything, as each one offers a different opportunity to help me achieve my goal.

Don’t be too hard on yourself. This isn’t something that you can achieve straight away – I believe it is a gradual change of life style

Our thanks to Karen for answering questions about adopting a zero waste lifestyle. Any external links in the article are not officially endorsed by MRWA and are for reference and information purposes only.

May 2022