A council has urged its residents to play a part in eliminating the amount of food waste produced in the borough.

Blackburn with Darwen Council says, on average, each household in the UK is wasting £700 a year by throwing away food that could still be consumed.

In the borough, food waste continues to account for more than 40 per cent of the contents of the burgundy bin, with half of it still being edible or in date.

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This is also having an impact on climate change, with the UN saying food loss and waste generates around eight per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activity each year.

Cllr Jim Smith, the council’s executive member for environment, said: “It’s crucial that we join together to eliminate food waste.

"Not only is it costing you the residents a huge amount of money, but it’s also having a negative impact on the environment – affecting our next generation.

"Taking small steps to make your food go further can dramatically reduce your waste.”

By mid 2026, weekly food waste collections will become the norm for most households across England and residents in the borough will be provided with a kitchen caddie and a separate small 25 litre food waste bin to make it easier to dispose of your food waste.

The kitchen caddies will have liners that can be tied and placed in the food waste bin when full. Once the bin is emptied it will be returned to you.

The council has also given ideas of ways people can limit their food waste.

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They said: “You can repurpose leftovers and have them the following day.

"Leftover meat and veg can be added to curries, fritters or one pot dishes such as tagines.

"Or you could mix your leftover veg and flatbreads with eggs to make a delicious shakshuka.

“Freezing food is a fantastic option – there are very few things you can’t freeze. Doing this means you can have easy meals for later in Ramadan or once Eid has been and gone.

"You can freeze roasted vegetables and meat and place them in freezer bags to use in dishes.

"You can even freeze flatbreads and rice too. But remember rice can only be reheated once!”