UK urges households to reduce Christmas food waste, saving money and cutting emissions.

UK households are urged to use Boxing Day to reduce food waste, as an estimated 85,000 tonnes of edible Christmas leftovers could be discarded, costing families £1,000 annually and contributing to 16 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. Experts stress that food past its 'best before' date is often safe to eat if stored properly at 5°C or below, while 'use by' dates must be followed for safety. Simple actions like reheating leftovers or making dishes like turkey curry can save money and reduce environmental impact. The government has allocated £13.5 million in grants to redistribute 19,000 tonnes of surplus food, and appliance brands are introducing AI-powered fridge features that generate recipes based on available ingredients. Wrap offers free online resources, including 20 recipes, to support the Love Food Hate Waste campaign.