“The Food We Waste” report by WRAP (UK)

21 May 2008

Just across the water in the UK, a new study, believed to be the first of its kind in the world, has shown that one third of the food bought in the UK is thrown away. That is like one in three bagfuls of food shopping going straight into the bin.  The study consisted of a detailed survey of households and a physical analysis of their waste. As thanks to the Celtic Tiger, we all lead far more hectic lives and far more ready meals than we used to, we could expect to see similar patterns in Ireland. 

The study showed that 6.7 million tonnes of food is thrown away each year in the UK, when most of this food could have been eaten. It's not just peelings and bones, it's good food. For example, each day 1.3 million unopened yoghurt pots, 5,500 whole chickens and 440,000 ready meals are thrown out by households in the UK. There are two main reasons: food gets forgotten and is left unused; portions are too big and leftovers are not used.

The study reveals an economic and social issue due to the fact that the cost of needlessly wasted food to UK households is £10 billion a year and it costs local authorities £1 billion a year to dispose of this waste. 

Moreover, food waste has a significant environmental impact. Growing, processing, packaging, refrigerating and getting the food to our homes uses a lot of energy. The carbon impact of wasted food is enormous. Also, most of the wasted food reaches landfill sites where it emits methane, a greenhouse gas. Stopping the waste of good food could avoid 18 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents from being emitted each year, the same as taking 1 in 5 cars off of UK roads.

Preventing waste in the first place has to remain a top priority.

The food we waste: Executive summary

The food we waste: Full report

WRAP: www.wrap.org.uk
Love Food Hate Waste campaign: www.lovefoodhatewaste.com