A small dent has been made in the vast pile of food thrown away. The annual amount disposed of, typically 6.7 million tonnes, is estimated to have been reduced by 137,000 tonnes after the launch of a national campaign.

More than 1.8 million households, out of a total of 24.5 million, are thought to be making significant efforts to cut the amount they throw away, said the government-backed Waste Resources Action Programme (Wrap).

While the overall reduction is small, the campaigners are delighted because it represents the first steps towards a change in the nation’s behaviour.

The 137,000 tonnes saved from the rubbish heap is calculated to be worth £300 million and to have prevented 600,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases being emitted, the equivalent of 100,000 return flights to Australia.

Liz Goodwin, chief executive of Wrap, said she was encouraged by the early impact of the “Love Food Hate Waste” campaign, which had led to people using more of the food they bought rather than throwing it away, so helping the environment and saving money.

The results of the first year of the campaign were announced a day after the National Audit Office warned that councils could be fined if the Government did not act swiftly enough on EU rules to cut landfill waste.

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