A first of its kind pilot project has been launched by Zero Waste Scotland to provide dedicated food waste reduction support across Dundee, Angus and Fife as part of an innovative regional collaboration designed to meet the Scottish Government’s goal of reducing food waste by 33% by 2025.
The two-year scheme, launched yesterday (25 March) at the Tayberry Restaurant in Dundee, will see a regional food waste officer working with small and micro businesses, schools, colleges, universities and community groups, with the aim of meeting targets set by the Scottish Government.
With backing from local authorities, the Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce and a host of businesses, who all had representatives at the launch, the project has been designed to place Dundee, Fife and Angus at the forefront of the nation’s food waste revolution.
Award-winning chef Adam Newth gave his backing to the service, saying: “We already embrace a zero waste ethos at The Tayberry and Castlehill restaurants. Even items that people would consider unavoidable waste get used – bones for stock, vegetable peelings for canapes, and so on.
Adam Newth – “We already embrace a zero waste ethos at The Tayberry and Castlehill restaurants. Even items that people would consider unavoidable waste get used – bones for stock, vegetable peelings for canapes, and so on.”
“So, it makes perfect sense for me to show support for a project like this. I think it is an exciting opportunity for this region to show its leadership in environmental sustainability in hospitality.”
Iain Clunie, food and drink spokesperson at Zero Waste Scotland said: “Wasted food is not only a waste of money, it’s also a major contributor to climate change. That’s because when we waste food, we also waste all the energy and resources that went into producing it and getting it to our table. On top of this, if food waste then ends up in landfill, it will generate even more emissions in the form of methane gas, many times more harmful than carbon dioxide.
“There is so much going on in and around Dundee, Angus and Fife at the moment. Successfully reducing food waste would be another feather in the region’s cap and would address a hugely important factor in helping to preserve our environment.”
Zero Waste Scotland exists to create a society where resources are valued and nothing is wasted. The organisation’s goal is to help Scotland realise the economic, environmental and social benefits of making best use of the world’s limited natural resources.