Food

Over 30% of global human-caused carbon emissions come from food and agriculture according to the United Nations

The food choices we make can have a big impact on our carbon footprint. For example, bananas contribute only 80 grams of carbon dioxide (gCO2) whereas a cheeseburger emits a whopping 2.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide (kgCO2) into the atmosphere.

Have you heard about the Climatarian Diet? This diet is focused on contributing as little as possible to climate change by choosing local sustainably grown and reared produce, reducing waste and buying products ethically.  

It’s really simple to start and here’s how.

Choose produce with a lower carbon footprint 

By choosing to eat less animal products and by carefully choosing more locally sourced produce farmed by less intensive methods, we can reduce the carbon produced from our diet. You could try to: 

• reduce the amount of meat and dairy in your diet
• buy food that’s grown and sold locally
• choose meals that contain no meat at all. Veganuary has great recipe suggestions

Purchase seasonal fruit and vegetables

These are often cheaper and may even taste better in season! These foods are less likely to require artificial light and heat to grow, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted, and will have travelled fewer miles – lowering your carbon footprint, sourced from the BBC.

Here are some examples: 

You can find more guidance on the National Trust's Guide to Seasonal Food.  

Pick plastic free products whenever you can  

The production and distribution of plastic has a large carbon footprint and usually can only be used once. Plastics cannot be truly recycled (a plastic cup into a plastic cup), only potentially downcycled (a plastic cup into another product, for example, textiles) or more commonly ending up in landfill or the ocean! You can:

• buy loose and unpackaged groceries
• use your own containers
• shop at stores with refill stations
• carry your items home in reusable bags  

Find your nearest refill station using the Mersey Green Network app and filter the results for ‘Food’.  

For more guidance on reducing your plastic usage in your everyday life visit the Plastic Free July website.  

Grow your own fruit and veg 

Looking for a guide for getting started? Then check out the Royal Horticultural Society Get Set, Grow video series which takes you step-by-step through setting up your own growing space.

The Royal Horticultural Society also has great information on growing specific fruits and veg, as well as a guide what to do and plant each month

If you don’t have a garden then why not also consider some of the community growing spaces found across Wirral, or apply to join an allotment or get on their waiting list.

Leftover recipes 

Shockingly, if food waste was a country, then it would be the third largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world! So, finding ways to use up our leftover fruit and vegetables or bread and milk that are due to expire soon is a great way to reduce our carbon footprints.

Good food habits include:

• planning your meals for the week before shopping – what’s in your fridge now and what do you actually need?
• finding out the best place to store your food – most fruit and veg can be kept in the fridge and stops them going off quicker
• checking your fridge is below 5˚C
• keeping food at the end of its life near the front of the fridge
• eating all edible parts of food – no need to peel carrot and potatoes
• making your own stock – save veg peel and other edible bits and simmer in water for 20 minutes. Freeze and use when required.

Love Food Hate Waste have various collections of recipes and additional tips to help you save food, save money and save our planet! See how you could use up what you have at home and stop it from ending up at landfill.

Wirral Zero Waste Community also works locally to divert surplus food from landfill for collection in community organisations within Wirral. Check them out if you want to get involved to support the reduction of food waste or for information on where to pick up surplus food!  

Home and community composting  

Almost one third of the waste sent to landfill in the UK could be transformed into compost and diverted from disposal. Compost has multiple uses including as a soil improver, mulch, plant feed or growing media.  

Compost bins are available at a reduced price for Wirral residents on Wirral Council’s website as well as handy information for all the tips you need to start your composting journey today! If you don’t have a garden, but want to make you own compost, you can also buy a wormery via the council’s website. 

If you have been inspired and want more simple swaps, the WWF’s #EAT4CHANGE initiative explores more changes we can make to reduce the carbon footprint of our food. Learn how to make some simple swaps in your meals