Love Food Hate Waste - Ayrshire Councils’ Flower Show success

Published 11 Aug 2010 09:30

“Managing our food waste is something we can all do to help ourselves and the environment. I cannot think of a better way than getting the message across than with such a beautiful garden” said East Ayrshire Provost Stephanie Young as she joined North and South Ayrshire Provosts Pat McPhee and Winnifred Sloan to celebrate winning a Gold Medal and the Provost MacDonald Trophy for the Best Municipal Garden.

A unique, modern garden designed and developed by three Ayrshire Councils with support from Zero Waste Scotland was one of the highlights at this weekend’s Ayr Flower Show,

The innovative design for the “Love Food Hate Waste Garden” was developed to deliver a message of domestic sustainability. The garden demonstrated a unique take on the life cycle of food, showing the journey from garden vegetable patch, to kitchen, to compost bin. The overall aim of the exhibit was to show how we can all reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill.

The Love Food Hate Waste Garden incorporates the use of recycled materials to enhance its overall sustainability. The kitchen area, furniture and garden features were made from wood generated from treeworks in Kilmarnock’s Dean Castle Country Park. The kitchen sink and fridge freezer were reclaimed from recycling centres.

During the show the three Councils were all on hand at a trade stand beside the garden promoting home composting and the Councils' waste services. Zero Waste Advisers from Zero Waste Scotland were also available throughout the three day event to speak to the public and offer information and advice on ways in which they could reduce their food waste and save some money.

Provost Young continued: “Our garden showed how taking positive action in our own gardens and kitchens can reduce waste sent to landfill. Growing our own vegetables and herbs and only picking what is needed fresh from the garden, reduces levels of food waste. Planning ahead and storing fresh produce correctly also cuts waste. To help focus on creating tasty meals from leftovers there are lots of useful tips and recipes available via the Love Food Hate Waste campaign. And, to complete the loop, a home composter provides the ideal home for your peelings.”

“Through this garden we were also able to introduce our new food waste and mixed plastics bins which will be coming into operation for households in East Ayrshire before Christmas as part of our overall recycling strategy. We were thrilled by the positive response we’ve had from the show visitors and look forward to helping everyone achieve savings which will also benefit the planet.”

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