30th October 2024
Whilst the Ethical Consumer’s report ‘Closing the Gap 2024’ shows that meat and dairy consumption is declining in the UK, food waste is not.
Typically food loss is food that is grown and processed but not eaten – ie food that does not even pass from the farm or factory to the retailer or consumer. Food waste is food that has reached the retailer or consumer but is them not eaten. This could be food that has not been sold by the retailer because it has become damaged or because more has been ordered than has been bought. 30% of food waste is attributable to the retailers, but 70% of food waste derives from households.
This can include those parts of the food we typically do not eat such as banana and onion skins, apple cores etc but the majority is food we buy and chose not eat. The most frequently wasted foods include bread, milk, potatoes and chicken. (1) We can reduce this waste by not buying nor cooking more than we will eat, eating up leftovers, and by storing food more carefully.
For tips about reducing food waste –
For more information on what is food loss and food waste – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352550920314202
The Green Tau 