‘Love Your Leftovers: Tackling Food Waste Together’ Event

Transforming how you think about food waste was the theme of the ‘Love Your Leftovers’ interactive workshop on food waste, delivered as part of Dublin Climate Action Week by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLR). DLR partnered with the Regional Waste Management Office, FoodCloud Kitchen, Composting Ireland, Learn Local, Community Collectives and MyWaste to highlight the environmental and social impacts of food waste and to look at what we can do as individuals to reduce waste, and at the same time, save money.

Cllr. Jim O’Leary, Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said “As we kick off Dublin Climate Action Week, it is vital that we recognise the role food waste plays in our environmental impact. Every year, millions of tons of food end up in landfills, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and squandering resources. By reducing food waste, we’re not just preserving our environment, but we’re also supporting our communities, saving money, and making a commitment to a more sustainable future and a healthier planet."

Over 40 attendees joined local experts and chefs in the Holy Cross Parish Centre, Dundrum on Tuesday 10th September 2024, to learn about the impact of food waste and how to address this, with practical tips on meal planning and shopping to minimise waste. Chef Éilis Davenport of Learn Local, demonstrated how to properly store, preserve and extend the life of basic foods, as well as using leftovers creatively to create delicious meals and reduce waste. Craig Benton of Composting Ireland demonstrated the fundamentals of composting and how to start your own compost pile at home.

Mr. Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, added “In Ireland, we produce over one million tonnes of Food Waste each year. Addressing food waste is therefore not just an environmental necessity, it’s a practical step towards building a more sustainable and efficient food system.”

“Events like ‘Love Your Leftovers’, demonstrate practically how each one of us can take daily action to drive meaningful change. By focusing on these practical solutions, we not only inspire daily action to promote more sustainable practices, but we tackle the issue of food waste together.”

A delicious lunch was served by the FoodCloud Kitchen, which turns surplus food from businesses that would otherwise be thrown away, into delicious meals desserts and treats. Take home guides and composting caddy packs were provided to participants to encourage them to continue their journey towards reducing food waste.

DLR would like to extend a special thanks to the Holy Cross Parish Centre for hosting the event and to Dundrum Town Centre for facilitating the Food Cloud Kitchen.