Join us in our mission to combat the organic waste crisis and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

For residents who do not make it in time to benefit from a free home composting container, these are available at most garden centres hardware stores or online retailers.

Alternatively residents can help in the fight against human-induced climate change by simply avoiding food waste with the following tips:

• Rethink your approach to food: If we think about the energy, water and nutrients which has gone into producing the food we buy, and thus view it as a valuable resource, we will begin to view it as something not to be wasted.
• Plan meals mindfully: Planning meals in advance can help reduce the likelihood of overbuying or preparing more food than necessary. By creating shopping lists based on planned meals, residents can minimise impulse purchases and ensure that ingredients are used efficiently.
• Store food properly: Proper storage of perishable items, such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, can prolong their freshness and prevent spoilage. Utilising airtight containers, refrigeration, and labelling containers with the date can help extend the shelf life of food items.
• Embrace creative cooking: Transforming leftovers and surplus ingredients into new dishes is a great way to minimise food waste. Embrace creativity in the kitchen by experimenting with recipes and incorporating leftover ingredients into soups, stir-fries, salads, and casseroles.
• Only dish up what you plan to eat: Each person in the home (except for small children) should dish up their own plate, and should only take what they plan to eat. This will avoid half-finished plates of food being thrown away, because they can't be decanted back into the main serving dish due to contamination.
• Understand date labels: 'Best before' refers to the freshness date. It tells you how long the product will be at its best flavour and quality. The 'expiry date' or 'use by' date, however, tells consumers the last day a product is safe for consumption. Understanding the difference is key when buying your weekly groceries.
• Support food redistribution initiatives: Supporting local food banks, shelters, and community organisations can help redistribute surplus food to those in need. By donating excess food items, individuals and businesses can contribute to reducing food insecurity and combating hunger in our communities, while at the same time reducing their impact on the planet.
  
   
  
   
  
  Caption: City officials prepare compost bins for rollout, in efforts to encourage residents to divert organic waste from landfill.
  
   
  
   
  
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