Waste Not, Want Not

Landing in the first world country of England in the July of last year was almost overwhelming in many ways. The choice of products and especially foods is unbelievable, basic services are great and the abundance of everything everywhere is just incredible. Coming from a developing nation such as South Africa where times are getting harder everyday, it was almost surreal and for a while I admit I thought it was great.

I began to enjoy the culture of spending and the accumulation of things I didn’t need, Of eating anything I wanted when I wanted and throwing away an amazing amount of spoiled food in the process.

The Culture of Waste

It slowly began to dawn on me though that I was becoming increasingly greedy and it started to make me think that England’s and quite possibly all the first world’s culture is quickly becoming one of greed and wastefulness. Everywhere you go you’re confronted with advertisements on how to look more beautiful or how you can save more money and how you can buy more with that money you save.More, more, more, more! And it’s everywhere!

The English Pub Observations

For several months I had been working in a small village pub in a place called Bentworth out near Alton in the Hampshire County. I had been serving drinks and large plates of food to wealthy affluent customers with much more “class”, culture and educations than many of us back in South Africa could ever have dreamed of. And yet I’m left with much disappointment and disgust at how much was and still is taken for granted on a daily basis.

Watching closely I have been able to estimate that on average this small establishment would produce between 50 to 100 meals a day. All with salads, vegetables or breads as side accompaniments. And on average I would say that at least 80 percent of those meals come back with most if not all of the side foods left untouched. This food due to ridiculous health and safety standards is immediately tossed and forgotten. Surely I’m not insane to think that this food could be used again. Couldn’t we at least put it into bags and send it to shelters? There are people who would welcome a few hot vegetables as a meal and I’m sure wouldn’t mind the fact that Lord Lardass or Dame Ditzy might have nudged it to the side of the plate with their fingers or used utensils. Why does this food have to be discarded so wastefully?