The Cambridgeshire County Council Waste Education team has recognised the creativity and environmental awareness of local secondary school students through a food waste poster competition aimed at encouraging families to reduce the amount of food they throw away.
By making use of leftovers and reducing food waste at home, this initiative supports the Council’s goals of being a low-carbon council and promoting a circular economy, as well as encouraging healthy eating and helping to give children and young people the best start in life.
Around 400 Year 7 and Year 8 students at Hinchingbrook School in Huntingdon were invited to take part by designing an A4 poster highlighting the impact of food waste and sharing practical tips to help households reduce waste, such as planning meals and freezing leftovers.
The competition was introduced during two school assemblies delivered by the council's Waste Education team during the summer term. Following the launch, the school shortlisted 60 entries, which were submitted for judging by the council.
From these entries, 30 winners were selected by the Waste Education team, including one overall winner and one runner-up.
During a sustainable cooking workshop led by Alison Crouch from The Ferry Project, students prepared and enjoyed a two-course restaurant-quality meal using sustainable and surplus ingredients commonly found in the home. Alison has worked with a range of leading chefs and is the author of a book on reducing food waste and making the most of leftovers, with a particular focus on supporting families on low incomes.
The students created a gourmet pumpkin burger and an apple Charlotte, using surplus food and supermarket donations that would otherwise have gone to waste. They also participated in a 90-minute recycling workshop designed to increase awareness of how waste can be reduced through reuse, recycling, and repair. As part of the activity, each student created a bird feeder from a recycled plastic bottle, demonstrating how everyday items can be given a second life.
The workshops helped students turn their ideas into action, developing practical skills while learning how simple changes can reduce waste and support a more sustainable future.
Councillor Ros Hathorn, Chair of the Environment & Green Investment Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "It has been fantastic to see so many young people engaging with the issue of food waste and sharing practical ideas that can make a real difference at home. The creativity and thought that students have put into their posters has been incredibly impressive.
"Initiatives like this support our vision of a healthy and sustainable Cambridgeshire by helping young people understand the importance of using resources wisely and reducing waste. The sustainable cooking and recycling workshops gave students the opportunity to put those lessons into practice, developing valuable skills while learning how small changes can help reduce waste and protect the environment.
"By giving children and young people opportunities to learn about sustainability in a fun and practical way, we are helping to inspire the next generation to play an active role in creating a more sustainable county for everyone."
