Veolia and Nottinghamshire County Council launch easy leftover recipes for busy households, aiming to cut waste and boost sustainability across the borough

 In a fresh attempt to tackle rising food waste and help families save money, Veolia and Nottinghamshire County Council have teamed up to launch a new series of leftover-friendly recipes for Gedling borough residents. Released during Food Waste Action Week (March 17–23), the initiative encourages locals to rethink their approach to leftovers and transform them into tasty, time-saving meals.

The campaign comes in response to data showing that roughly 25% of general bin waste in Nottinghamshire is made up of avoidable food waste. That figure has sparked concern from both environmental advocates and budget-conscious households alike, leading to the creation of these easy, cost-effective dishes.

At the heart of the project is local Home Economist and Food Demonstrator Teresa Bovey, who designed the recipe collection with busy families and individuals in mind. She’s cooked up a delicious lineup of meals that can be thrown together with what’s already in the fridge or cupboards—no fancy ingredients required.

Among the highlights of the new recipes are:

• Pastia – A hybrid pasta-frittata dish to rescue cooked leftovers
  
• Savoury Pasta Bakes – Customisable with whatever veg or meat needs using up
  
• Italian Cheese Balls – A fun snack that repurposes stale bread and cheese odds
  
• Mexican Rice Dish – Great for leftover rice, beans, and roasted veg
  
• Microwave Rice Pudding – Comfort food made simple with spare cooked rice
  
• Microwave Jam – Quick jam using overripe fruit
  
• Quick Summer Crumble – A sweet solution for wrinkled berries or apples
  

Bovey emphasised that the recipes are flexible, with ingredients easily swappable depending on what’s available. “It’s about making it easy and accessible,” she explained. “You don’t need to be a chef—just someone who wants to waste less and eat well.”

The initiative also champions the use of modern kitchen tools like air fryers and microwaves to make food prep faster and less energy-intensive, perfect for busy weekday meals.

Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, hailed the project as a tasty and practical solution to a growing issue:

“These innovative dishes are a fantastic way for residents to reduce food waste and transform their leftovers into something delicious. Let’s make the most of what we have, embrace the joy of cooking with leftovers, and enjoy tasty, sustainable meals together.”

Steve Newman, general manager at Veolia Nottinghamshire, added a financial incentive to the mix.

“A family of four wastes around £1,000 each year on food that ends up in the bin. By planning meals and making use of leftovers, we can all do our part to protect the planet—and our wallets.”

Residents can access the new recipes via Nottinghamshire County Council’s website and social media platforms. The campaign also includes local demonstrations and community events to inspire people to get creative in their kitchens.

As the cost of living continues to bite and environmental concerns mount, projects like this aim to empower people with small, everyday changes that can have a big collective impact.

So next time you find half a courgette, two spoons of rice, and the last slice of bread in your fridge—don’t bin them. Turn them into dinner.gedling-food-waste-recipes-leftovers