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Shocking new study reveals Mancs throw away more than £1,000 of ‘freezable’ food every year

Manchester has been named the 'food waste capital' of the UK.

Emily Sergeant - 15th August 2024

A shocking new study has revealed that Mancs throw away more than £1,000 of ‘freezable’ food every single year.

Manchester may have earned itself some impressive new titles as of late – including being named one of the UK’s ‘most creative’ cities for 2024, and one of the most desired places to live, to name just a few – but we have a feeling this isn’t one we’re going to be shouting about from the rooftops quite as much, as unfortunately, our food waste habits have been put under the spotlight.

That’s because a new study by leading electricals retailer, AO.com, has named Manchester the ‘food waste capital’ of the UK.

Statistics pulled from the less-than-desirable new study shows that residents in our city waste around 11% of their food shop, or £93.28 per month, equating to more than £1,119 every year – which, according to AO, is enough for a week-long all-inclusive holiday in Marbella for two people.

Common essential groceries such as bread, fruit, and vegetables – all of which can be frozen – were listed as the items that are most likely to end up in the bin, the study revealed.

Meat and fish, yoghurt, potatoes, and cheese were some of the other food staples named.

“It’s alarming to see the sheer amount of wastage generated by Manchester residents, particularly amid the cost of living crisis,” AO’s food storage expert, Sarah Heaps, commented as the results of the new study were published this week.

“Binning over £1,100 worth of food annually, which equates to the cost of a family holiday, really puts things into perspective.”

Did you know it’s Stop Food Waste Day? We bin 7 million tonnes of edible food and drink every year, so we’ve got 5 tips to help reduce food waste at home. #StopFoodWasteDay pic.twitter.com/yjDSoyeodJ

— AO (@ao) April 26, 2023

Sarah also added that the study highlights that many of the frequently-discarded items can “easily be frozen” to extend their shelf life.

“By portioning out food and using freezing techniques, Mancunians can significantly reduce waste and save money,” she continued. “Embracing smarter food storage solutions and technology is essential in helping us all live more sustainably.”

Sarah concluded that the survey findings underscore the importance of better food management practices families can adopt.

Read more:

• M&S removes ‘best before’ dates from all fruit and veg to tackle food waste
• Manchester named one of the UK’s ‘most creative’ cities for 2024
• Lidl is launching bargain ‘mystery boxes’ full of middle aisle items worth over £100

She says these will “combat waste” and “boost sustainability” in Manchester and beyond.

Featured Image – Rawpixel