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Waikato District Council - Te Kaunihera aa Takiwaa o Waikato

It is always a shame when good food ends up in the bin. And food that ends up in a landfill does not break down properly.

In a landfill, food waste is buried by other rubbish and crushed, which limits its exposure to sunlight, oxygen, and helpful microorganisms. As a result, when it breaks down, it releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas that impacts climate change.

But there's good news! There are many simple things that you can do to reduce how much food ends up in the bin. With food prices what they are, one thing we can control is eating all the food we buy! 

How to reduce wasted food

  Every Bite is a month-long facilitated programme, where you will carry out simple experiments at home to better understand and prevent your food waste. 

Join Every Bite

Like many other councils throughout the country, we are proud to be part of the Love Food Hate Waste campaign.

Love Food Hate Waste is a great resource to help you learn new habits, reduce avoidable food waste and hopefully see your food go a little further.

Visit Love Food Hate Waste

There are many ways to reduce your food waste

Want to learn more?

Check out our upcoming food waste events! For all waste minimisation events, head to Events and workshops.

  • Landfills are designed to last 1,000 years! In this chaotic time of consumerism and climate change, we are facing some big challenges that we need to start facing head on! You can do nothing, and nothing will change, or you can be an imperative cog in the machine that works towards a healthier planet. If you want a place to start your waste minimisation journey or even want to reinforce what you already know, then this 2-hour seminar is for you!

    Why join us? You will:
    • LEARN about what happens to our waste once it leaves the curbside.
    • ACQUIRE tips/tricks and life hacks that will help you deal with/manage your waste better.
    • BE CHALLENGED to reduce your waste.

    Don't miss out on this opportunity full of witty humor, reality checks, and encouragement that may also challenge your thinking around trash

    Book your ticket.

    Fee: FREE

    Thursday 24 July 2025, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
    Ngāruawāhia Community House, 13 Galileo Street, Ngaaruawaahia 3720, New Zealand

  • Landfills are designed to last 1,000 years! In this chaotic time of consumerism and climate change, we are facing some big challenges that we need to start facing head on! You can do nothing, and nothing will change, or you can be an imperative cog in the machine that works towards a healthier planet. If you want a place to start your waste minimisation journey or even want to reinforce what you already know, then this 2-hour seminar is for you!

    Why join us? You will:
    • LEARN about what happens to our waste once it leaves the curbside.
    • ACQUIRE tips/tricks and life hacks that will help you deal with/manage your waste better.
    • BE CHALLENGED to reduce your waste.

    Don't miss out on this opportunity full of witty humor, reality checks, and encouragement that may also challenge your thinking around trash

    Book your ticket.

    Fee: FREE

    Thursday 24 July 2025, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
    Friendship House Huntly, 55 William Street, Huntly 3700, New Zealand

  • Landfills are designed to last 1,000 years! In this chaotic time of consumerism and climate change, we are facing some big challenges that we need to start facing head on! You can do nothing, and nothing will change, or you can be an imperative cog in the machine that works towards a healthier planet. If you want a place to start your waste minimisation journey or even want to reinforce what you already know, then this 2-hour seminar is for you!

    Why join us? You will:
    • LEARN about what happens to our waste once it leaves the curbside.
    • ACQUIRE tips/tricks and life hacks that will help you deal with/manage your waste better.
    • BE CHALLENGED to reduce your waste.

    Don't miss out on this opportunity full of witty humor, reality checks, and encouragement that may also challenge your thinking around trash

    Book your ticket.

    Fee: FREE

    Monday 28 July 2025, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
    Elsie's Restaurant and Bar, 3 George Street, Tuakau 2121, New Zealand

  • Landfills are designed to last 1,000 years! In this chaotic time of consumerism and climate change, we are facing some big challenges that we need to start facing head on! You can do nothing, and nothing will change, or you can be an imperative cog in the machine that works towards a healthier planet. If you want a place to start your waste minimisation journey or even want to reinforce what you already know, then this 2-hour seminar is for you!

    Why join us? You will:
    • LEARN about what happens to our waste once it leaves the curbside.
    • ACQUIRE tips/tricks and life hacks that will help you deal with/manage your waste better.
    • BE CHALLENGED to reduce your waste.

    Don't miss out on this opportunity full of witty humor, reality checks, and encouragement that may also challenge your thinking around trash

    Book your ticket.

    Fee: FREE

    Tuesday 29 July 2025, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
    Toi Ako Artspace, under St Margarets Hal, 3 Waerenga Road, Te Kauwhata 3710, New Zealand

Quick tips!

Got loads of lemons? Juice them up and avoid buying #4 plastic squeezy bottles or soft plastic pouches from the supermarket.

Some squeezy bottles or soft plastics that contain things like lemon or lime juice cannot be collected kerbside anywhere in Aotearoa. Remember! We can only collect plastics 1, 2, and 5 (no lids).

Find out what can be recycled


Related links

Last updated 4 March 2025, 09:30 am

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