Waste less. Eat smart. Save money.

The City has partnered with Love Food Hate Waste to launch a new campaign to help you save money and cut down on food waste.

Reducing food waste was identified as a priority by residents during the development of the Solid Waste Master Plan. This campaign is one of 50 actions in the plan that will guide the City towards more sustainable waste management.

Did you know the average Canadian household throws away approximately $1,300 worth of food every year? While some food waste—like bones, peelings and eggshells—is unavoidable, a staggering 63 per cent of food that gets thrown out could have been eaten. That includes leftovers, spoiled produce and those forgotten items at the back of the fridge.

The good news? Reducing food waste at home is easier than you think. With just a few small changes to how you plan, use and store your food, you can make a big difference.

Visit ottawa.ca/FoodWaste to get food saving tips and recipes, including:

• How to store produce so it stays fresher for longer
• Creative recipes for the most commonly wasted food
• Demystifying “best before” dates
• Inspiration for using up leftovers
• Canning and food preparation
• Meal planning and batch cooking

Love Food Hate Waste is a globally recognized and proven behaviour change campaign founded in the United Kingdom. Launched in Canada in 2018, Love Food Hate Waste works with businesses, governments and community groups to help Canadians make the most of the food they love.

Wasting food means we are wasting water, resources and energy used to grow, produce and distribute that food to consumers. It also produces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Putting food waste in the green bin is a good step—but the best thing we can do is stop food from being wasted in the first place.