Lisburn News

Food, freeze or compost?

Councillor Andrew Ewing, Chairman of the Council's Environmental Services Committee showing residents that it is possible to freeze all sorts of foodstuffs including eggs and vegetables.

LISBURN City Council is urging householders to think first before throwing food away.

There are many ways food can be used. Instead of throwing it out it can be frozen before its 'use by' date but if it is past the 'use by' date the food should be placed in your brown kitchen caddy or brown compostable bin as this is the safest option.

Placing food in the freezer acts like a pause button, giving you more time to eat the food you buy.
Councillor Andrew Ewing, Chairman of Lisburn City Council's. Environmental Services Committee, speaking about reducing food waste, said: "Many of us are guilty of buying food which isn't eaten and instead is placed straight into the bin. It is safe to freeze almost any food - if it has a 'use by' date freeze the food before that date, defrost when needed and use it within 24 hours.

"By making the most of cold storage, residents can save both time and money. When freezing food do so in portion sizes, wrap well, use within three months and defrost in the fridge for 24 hours before cooking thoroughly it is piping hot all the way through."

In a survey conducted by WRAP only 21% of respondents had opted to freeze food that was nearing its 'use by' date.

Councillor Ewing concluded: "It is a common rationale that people freeze bread, meat and seafood but so many other foodstuffs can be frozen. Eggs, milk, cheese and yoghurt can be frozen but ensure you separate the egg whites and yolks, remove a small quantity milk and yoghurt from the containers and grate cheese before freezing. Fruit and vegetables can also be frozen. Try slicing a lemon before freezing and using in drink when defrosted, or parboil potatoes and use for roasting or mash boiled potatoes before freezing."

Recycling rates are continuing to increase in the Lisburn area and in the last financial year over 9,000 tonnes of compostable waste was collected through the Council's brown bin collection scheme that was extended to an additional 3,000 properties last Autumn.

If residents cannot use food the next best option is to place it in the kitchen caddy or brown bin for composting therefore avoiding the high cost of landfill and enabling the waste material to be reused as compost.

Lisburn City Council supports the Love Food, Hate Waste campaign which aims to raise awareness of food waste. For tips on more freezer ideas, fantastic recipes, food planning and storage log on to www.lovefoodhatewasteni.org

Ulster Star
10/02/2012