A DORSET care home has pledged to reduce its food waste in a bid to cut its carbon footprint.

Blandford Grange Care Home in Blandford Forum has said it will take a number of steps in a bid to achieve its mission.

These include using up leftover vegetables rather than throwing them away, using all cuts of meat when cooking and using carcasses for stock, using discarded crusts of bread to make breadcrumbs and recycling cooking oil and food waste through Poole-based firm, Arrow, which will then go on to be used towards creating renewable sources of energy.

Blandford Grange’s chef, Sharon Cork said: “I am conscious of reducing the home’s carbon footprint and food miles, and now through careful menu planning and budgeting I’m able to keep our food waste to a minimum.

“I believe that it is important for us to be as efficient as possible and consider the impact we have on our environment when purchasing and preparing food. There is no need however to compromise on our ability to make great-tasting, nutritious food.”

According to research, around £494 million worth of food is thrown away every week in the UK.

The care home made the announcement as part of Stop Food Waste Day which was held on April 24.