Understanding food waste: Our current food system is a burden on the environment.

Food waste includes all food intended for human consumption that is thrown away, whether at production, retail or household level. A significant proportion of this waste comes from households – in Germany it is between 53 and 59%, depending on the source. Fruit and vegetables account for the majority of this waste, followed by baked goods, ready meals and dairy products.

Environmental impact

The environmental impact of food waste is enormous. It is responsible for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If food waste were a country, it would rank as the fourth largest emitter of greenhouse gases. In the EU alone, food waste accounts for around 16% of total emissions from the food system. These emissions contribute significantly to climate change and exacerbate environmental degradation and resource depletion.

Social and economic consequences

Food waste occurs while 828 million people worldwide go hungry every day and 2.3 billion people do not have sufficient access to food. In the EU, almost 33 million people cannot afford a full meal every other day. The economic impact is also significant, with up to 132 billion euros lost every year in Europe alone due to food waste. Households could save between €270 and €720 per year if they reduced their food waste completely.

Causes of food waste

Food waste occurs along the entire supply chain, from food cultivation through the supply chain to households. In the EU, households are the biggest culprits at 59%, followed by the processing and manufacturing sector (20%), primary production (10%), restaurants and food services (9%) and retail (7%).

The causes of food waste occur at various levels. One major factor is consumer behavior, including misunderstandings about best-before dates, excessive shopping behavior and inadequate storage. In retail and food service, overstocking, strict aesthetic standards and lack of food donation systems lead to significant waste. At the agricultural level, inefficient harvesting methods and production processes contribute to waste. Cultural attitudes that favor abundance and variety, as well as consumer alienation from food production, exacerbate the problem.

Steps to reduce food waste

Food waste is often the result of simply buying things at the store. If you plan your meals in advance and go out with a shopping list, you will generally only buy what actually ends up in the cooking pot. Incidentally, it can be really fun to come up with creative recipes for the leftovers in the fridge. We have already put together a list of ways to consume food more sustainably for you here.

For households:

Avoid and reduce: Plan meals, buy only what you need, and document your waste to improve your shopping habits.
Reuse: Save leftovers, freeze excess food and use portable containers to minimize waste.
Recycle: Compost leftover food and recycle what can’t be eaten.
Rethink: Start conversations about food waste and share tips to reduce it with friends and family.

For restaurants and food services:

Smaller portions: Offer different portion sizes, with the smaller one serving as the standard.
Donate: Give leftover food to charities or use apps like Too Good to Go.
Pack leftovers: Encourage customers to take leftovers with them.
Composting: Provide clear bins for food waste to encourage composting and recycling.
Track waste: Monitor food waste regularly and set reduction targets.

Why it is important to tackle the problem

Tackling food waste is crucial for society, the environment and the economy. Reducing food waste can help alleviate hunger, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money. For example, households can save significant amounts of money annually by reducing waste, and less food waste can lead to lower food prices and a reduced environmental impact.

By acting proactively, together we can combat food waste and become more sustainable

Food waste is a complex problem with far-reaching consequences. By understanding the scale of the problem and implementing practical steps to reduce waste, we can make a significant positive impact on our environment, society and economy. Every small action counts, from better meal planning at home to systemic changes in the way food is handled along the supply chain. Let’s all do our part to reduce food waste, reuse and change the way we think.

Sources:

United Nations Environment Programme, Food Waste Index Report 2024. Think Eat Save: Tracking Progress to Halve Global Food Waste. [online]. Available: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/45230. [Accessed: Aug. 6, 2024].

 Eurostat, 2023

EU Commission, 2023

Eurostat, 2023

United Nations Environment Programme, Food Waste Index Report 2024. Think Eat Save: Tracking Progress to Halve Global Food Waste. [online]. Available: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/45230

 EU Joint Research Center, 2023

 United Nations Environment Programme, Food Waste Index Report 2024. Think Eat Save: Tracking Progress to Halve Global Food Waste. [online]. Available: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/45230

Food Manufacturing

World Food Programme

Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft