Brits Discard 86,000 Entire Lettuces Daily: Tips for Eco-Friendly Consumption and Reducing Waste
In the face of growing concerns about the environmental impact of meat production, making informed choices when shopping for meat is more important than ever. Here are some key tips for buying sustainable meat in the UK.
Firstly, buying locally from farm shops or butchers allows consumers to directly inquire about animal rearing and grazing methods. Seeking out meat certified by schemes like Pasture For Life guarantees 100% grass-fed beef and lamb, ensuring a more sustainable and humane farming practice.
Another growing trend in farming is regenerative farming or agroecology, where livestock is brought into a crop-rotation system to improve soil quality and reduce the need for artificial fertilizers. Opting for meat from farms practicing regenerative farming is recommended.
For those seeking alternatives to farmed red meat, wild game like venison can be a sustainable choice. Venison is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, has more protein and less fat than other major sources of meat, and is a lower-impact alternative. However, it's always worth checking labels to avoid imported products.
Farm-assurance schemes like Red Tractor and RSPCA Assured go some way in ensuring sustainable meat production, but their standards are noted as partly sufficient with government reviews forthcoming. Supporting retailers committed to net zero goals, like Waitrose aiming for net zero on UK farms by 2035, reinforces sustainable sourcing.
The UK government's pledge to achieve net-zero emissions includes a commitment to eat 35% less meat by 2050. Gareth Morgan of the Soil Association emphasizes the need for a change in diets to fight climate change, suggesting less but better meat from grazing animals that support wildlife and return carbon to the soil.
The National Food Strategy, developed by Henry Dimbleby, emphasizes the need to reduce meat consumption to fight climate change. While plant-based alternatives are outside this direct query on meat, it is worth noting that shifting towards plant-based options can substantially reduce environmental impact by lowering greenhouse gas emissions, land, and water use.
Consumer choice has a significant impact on the environment and the planet, and it is important to make conscious decisions when shopping. Simple actions like buying potatoes loose in the amount needed can reduce food waste, as 6.4 tons of food is wasted by British households annually, including 86,000 whole lettuces being thrown away every day.
The best practices for buying sustainable meat in the UK collectively help reduce the environmental impact of meat purchasing and support higher welfare and ecological farming practices. By making these choices, consumers can contribute to a more sustainable food system.
- To support environmental science and promote sustainable living, consider choosing farm shop meat that is certified by schemes like Pasture For Life, which guarantees 100% grass-fed beef and lamb.
- Incorporating regenerative farming methods, such as those that employ crop-rotation systems and reduce the need for artificial fertilizers, is a trend in science and environmental-science, making products from such farms a recommended choice.
- For individuals looking to alter their food-and-drink lifestyle, options like venison can serve as a sustainable choice, being rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and having less impact than other major sources of meat.
- The home-and-garden sector can also keep sustainability in mind by opting for loose potatoes in the required amount, reducing food waste and supporting a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
