The Problem
Food waste feeds climate change. If food waste were a country, it would be the 3rd largest emitter of greenhouse gases. But, the good news is tackling food waste at home is the single most impactful action each of us can do, starting today to tackle the climate crisis.
The Problem
Food waste feeds climate change. If food waste were a country, it would be the 3rd largest emitter of greenhouse gases. But, the good news is tackling food waste at home is the single most impactful action each of us can do, starting today to tackle the climate crisis.
Global
Globally, one third of all food produced is lost or wasted. That’s around 931 million tonnes of food – the equivalent of 23 million fully loaded trucks, which would circle the earth 7 times.
Food waste costs the global economy nearly $1 trillion US each year, while 690 million people still go hungry and three billion people can’t afford a healthy diet.
With another two billion people expected to join the planet by 2050, the global challenge is to create a sustainable food culture that can be shared by all.
Australia
In Australia, our annual food waste is more than 7.6 million tonnes each year, costing the economy more than $36.6 billion each year. The UNEP Food Waste Index ranks Australia as the tenth most wasteful country in the world.
Food waste is generated at every stage of the supply chain with a third being lost in primary production/farms, a third from the manufacturing, retail and the hospitality sector and a third from our homes.
With a national target to halve food waste by 2030 (in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals), change is required at all levels of society.
Your Home
Households are a massive source of food waste, creating over 2.5 million tonnes of food waste every year, most of which is largely avoidable. According to scientists at Project Drawdown reducing food waste is the single most impactful action each of us can do to tackle the climate crisis.
With one in every five shopping bags ending up in the bin, costing the average household between $2,000-$2,500 dollars every year – it’s time to take action. With just a few simple changes, you could save food, money and the planet.
Be part of the solution.
