If food and drink waste was a country, it would be the third largest greenhouse gas emitter. As food waste breaks down it releases methane gas, which is 21 times as potent GHG to CO2. Wasting food isn’t only bad for the planet, it’s also a waste of money, energy and resources!
When you’re planning your big day, food waste isn’t the top of your (very long) to do list! So we’ve tried to make it a little easier for you by putting together some top tips and ideas to help you reduce food waste and save money when catering for your wedding.
Food
If you can, sourcing your wedding food from local, sustainable business will mean it’s in season, travelled less distance and better for our health. Often local food is packaged with less plastic, so it’s also waste reducing! It’s even possible for some caterers to make your wedding food from fruit and veg surplus.
If it works for you and your guests, it’s also worth considering a vegetarian or vegan menu for a quick win in reducing your event’s eco-footprint.
To reduce food waste, serve appropriately sized portions, (this will also save money as you won’t be overbuying food). You can speak to your venue and caterers about how they deal with the food waste generated. Eco-venues will likely collect it separately and possibly have composting facilities on site. You can also ask about their other recycling streams. If customers begin to question their waste outcomes, it may make them reconsider where their waste goes, especially if they aren’t already recycling.
If you’re really keen and you, or someone you know has a compost heap, why not collect the food waste yourself and add it there after the event.
Drink
Instead of serving drinks in single-use plastic cups, use glass or reusable containers which can be washed at the venue. Ensure all glass bottles and aluminium cans are recycled appropriately, this is made easier by having clearly labelled recycling bins. Is there a way you can reduce your drinks packaging and costs by buying beer in barrels from a local brewery?
It is also now possible to buy spirits made from “waste”. Since 2016, Hyke Gin have been repurposing and reimagining surplus grapes that would otherwise go to waste. Toast Ale is a B corporation brewery, they make their drinks from wasted bread! They use a slice of bread for every beer brewed and give all profits go to food waste charities.
A cheap alternate is a “bring your own bar”- fashion a makeshift bar from old furniture, get people to bring a bottle of their favourite drink and discourage plastic containers.
More Sustainable Weddings and Events blogs:
Sustainable Weddings and Events – Gifts
Sustainable Weddings and Events – Venue and Decorations
