A week of gastronomic indulgence may not sound like the way to begin a carbon crunching activity called Waste Not Want Not.

However, the Lillyhall Climate Solidarity Action Group started by having a final week of ingestion (and possible indigestion) before acting together to cut their food waste. Angela Harrison, PCS Branch Learning Co-ordinator at HMRC Lillyhall, said, ‘We basically had a week  where we chose to eat out and buy takeaways at mealtimes.’

While a week of overloading may not have done much towards tackling climate change it did offer a valuable insight into typical eating habits – the real motivation behind the seven day feast. ‘Buying lunch everyday rather than packing your own or small things such as always buying a coffee from the machine aren’t uncommon in a normal week’ said Angela.

The following week the group began planning meals in advance and sticking to their shopping list. They budgeted and brought in their own lunch and coffee. ‘I was really shocked,’ Angela said, ‘by the healthier lifestyle and savings that could be made just by putting a bit of thought into our meals.’

An average family can waste up to a quarter of their food in a year. This equates to one and a half tonnes of carbon dioxide. So a healthier lifestyle can contribute to a healthier planet. For many people, not wasting food has a strong connection to global justice and equality, because so many people in the world still go hungry. 

Angela attended the Climate Solidarity Action Group training in Newcastle and then set about involving her colleagues, ‘I approached two learning reps first – Glenn and Andrew - and the group quickly expanded to six.’ As with other Action Groups, Angela found looking for like minded people helps a group to establish itself and gain momentum. The group publicised their activity to members through a poster with the headline ‘A Grand in Your Hand’ which asks, ‘What would you spend a £1,000 on?’ One thousand pounds is a realistic saving that can be made through small changes to food consumption habits over a year.

The group have also used their actions to engage with local management and are working with the Communications Officer to promote future activities more widely, including a Learning at Work Day in September.

If you would like to follow the Lillyhall Group’s example, why not download the Waste Not Want Not action pack, or get in touch with your union contact.