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Building kitchen confidence while reducing food waste

In 2025, WMRC partnered with educators from Foodbank WA to deliver a series of hands-on Cook More Waste Less workshops. The sessions were designed to help residents minimise food waste while building confidence in the kitchen and preparing affordable, healthy meals.

Across eight workshops held between June and September 2025, participants learned practical ways to reduce food waste at home. Topics included meal planning, storing food correctly to extend shelf life, using up leftovers and vegetable scraps, and correctly sorting food waste and packaging in a three-bin system.

Learning by cooking together

The workshops included a collaborative cooking component, where participants worked in small groups to prepare meals using everyday ingredients. At the end of each session, everyone shared the food they had made together — creating a relaxed opportunity to exchange cooking tips and ideas for reducing food waste.

Reinforcing learning with The Great Unwaste Partner Hub

To reinforce learning, WMRC also shared materials from The Great Unwaste Partner Hub, including fact sheets and Use It Up Tape for participants to take home. These assets proved to be valuable reminders of good food waste behaviours for residents to use at home.

Encouraging behaviour change

Workshops were promoted through social media, local media, newsletters and digital signage. Sessions were capped at 15 participants, with typically 8–14 residents attending each workshop to keep the experience interactive.

Post-workshop surveys showed encouraging behaviour changes. Participants reported stronger food-saving habits such as checking what they already have before shopping, serving appropriate portions, storing food to extend shelf life and planning meals around leftovers. Many also said they felt more confident sorting food waste into FOGO systems.

What’s next

Following the success of the Cook More Waste Less series, WMRC hopes to continue food waste education in 2026 through its Low Waste Living workshop program.

“The Great Unwaste has created valuable resources we could provide to residents at our food waste workshops. They communicate key food waste reduction techniques in a clear, simple and effective way, helping participants consolidate what they learn in the workshops and empowering them to make lasting sustainable lifestyle changes. Consistent messaging is key, and The Great Unwaste makes it easy.”

 

Western Metropolitan Regional Council