Why 2m kilos of Christmas cheese will end up in the bin

... and how to cut back on your household's waste

It was once a simple choice of stilton or cheddar with a few grapes on the side and the pleasure of assembling a course that requires no cooking.

But for many households the Christmas cheeseboard has become an elaborate affair - often resulting in a vast amount of waste. Now, as a new survey estimates that 2.2m kilograms of cheese from the festive dining table will be chucked in the bin this year, specialists are urging shoppers to aim for a "zero waste" cheeseboard. "If you buy cheese that tastes amazing you're far less likely to waste it," said Dominic Coyte of Borough Cheese Company. "In my house I tend to end up with lots of small bits left, so I grate and freeze it. Freezing can affect the texture so it loses its rigidity, but it's still good to use for cheese on toast or in sauces or gratins. The remainders of a boxed soft cheese can also be baked in the oven with garlic, rosemary and white wine - day-old bread with a bit of bite is ideal for dipping in it."