Support for campaign could put $2500 back in the pocket of every Australian family when they need it most
Friday 11th April, 2025
It is a cost saving largely ignored, but average Australian households could be saving as much as $2500 a year by instituting some simple behavioural changes to cut their food waste.
With cost of living now ranked as the most significant election issue, CEO of End Food Waste Australia, Dr Steven Lapidge says investment in minimising Australians’ significant food waste bill is a no-brainer.
“By cutting food waste, households could save more than $2500 a year, an amount that rivals the savings from much pricier election policy promises,” Dr Lapidge says.
“To put it in perspective, a $2500 saving is 16 times more than the government’s $150 power bill rebate, and more than three times The Greens’ $800 back-to-school payment.”
While both major parties propose cost-of-living relief, Dr Lapidge says they don’t come close to the ongoing financial relief that could be delivered by tackling food waste head-on, and for a fraction of the cost.
With initial funding from the Federal Government, The Great Unwaste campaign has already made inroads.
“Just as the iconic Slip, Slop, Slap campaign turned around behaviours in relation to unsafe sun exposure, The Great Unwaste campaign has the potential to revolutionise household food management and drive down household food expenditure when people need it most,” Dr Lapidge says.
Since its launch in September 2024, The Great Unwaste campaign has been working effectively to boost public awareness of food waste and how to reduce it, offering simple, practical, and achievable tips on how to reduce food waste and save money.
While time and difficulty are common barriers to action, the campaign has shifted attitudes and successfully influenced people to consider how they prepare the right amounts of food for their needs.
Research has shown that overall, 90 per cent of Australians believe reducing food waste is a shared responsibility, and only one in four Australians believe that local, state and national governments are doing all they can to reduce it.
End Food Waste Australia’s Campaign Director Mandy Hall, who spearheads the campaign, says it is providing insights that will deliver immediate savings for families everywhere.
“Whether in red, blue, green, or teal electorates, the issue of food waste cuts across all political lines and into every Australian’s pocket,” Hall says.
“The relatively small investment from the government to support The Great Unwaste campaign has the potential to put millions back into Australian household budgets and take thousands off their grocery bills.”
And the bonus for Australian communities includes protecting valuable resources and reducing food waste that generates greenhouse gas emissions.
“When you realise that 3.4 million households in Australia are experiencing food insecurity, yet we throw away the equivalent of 7.7 million meals every day, it really does demand action and change,” Hall says.
“The Great Unwaste campaign can provide the kind of practical, long-term strategies that Australian families need now,” Hall added.
End Food Waste Australia calls on all candidates and parties to support Australian households to reduce their food waste, ensuring more savings are delivered to their pockets.
The Great Unwaste campaign – purpose-built to drive long term behaviour change – is best placed to do this.
ENDS
Media Contact
Brit Hayward
Corporate Communications Manager
End Food Waste Australia
Ph: 0419 755 214
Email: brit@endfoodwaste.com.au
CEO Dr Steven Lapidge and Campaign Director Mandy Hall are available for comment.