PEOPLE are being asked not to waste food this Christmas and to recycle their Christmas trees.

Lewisham Council has signed up to the Love Food, Hate Waste campaign in order to raise awareness of the need to reduce the amount of food thrown away.

It has been providing practical advice and giving away free food-measuring items for the kitchen in Lewisham shopping centre.

Cabinet member for customer services, Councillor Susan Wise, said: “The campaign offers some great tips which will help us all to reduce the amount of food we throw away and to save money.

“Knowing what foods can be frozen or how to store vegetables to maximise their life, for example, are extremely important and will not only benefit the environment but our pockets as well.”

Cllr Wise added: “The average family could save about £50 per month just by being more aware of what they have in the fridge and planning meals and shopping.”

More than 8 million tonnes of food in the UK is thrown away each year the equivalent of filling Wembley Stadium more than eight times.

Residents are also being reminded of the council’s free Christmas tree recycling service.

People can leave their trees at collection points around the borough from December 27 until the last week in January.

Cllr Wise: said: “Rather than simply throw them away I’d urge everyone to recycle their tree.

“Last year over 10,000 Christmas trees were collected, mulched and used for compost in Lewisham’s parks. It’d be great to beat that number this year.”

To find your nearest Christmas tree collection point, visit lewisham.gov.uk/recycling For more information about the campaign, visit lovefoodhatewaste.com