1/3 of all food
is ultimately wasted (1).
The food we waste has significant impacts on people, the planet and industry profitability. But there’s a better way.
The food we waste has significant impacts on people, the planet and industry profitability. But there’s a better way.
Supplying domestic and export markets, Australia produces enough food to feed 75 million people (2) , yet millions of Australians go hungry every day. So, fighting food waste means fighting food insecurity.
Collaborations across the supply chain with food rescue organisations, improvements to policy, and initiatives to reduce food waste can help feed millions of food insecure Australians every year.
households in Australia experience food insecurity (3).
Food waste feeds climate change. When we waste food we waste all the energy, water, land and fuel used to produce and distribute it. On top of this, food rotting in landfill produces methane – 28x times more potent than carbon dioxide (4).
Reducing food waste will drastically improve our impact on the planet and help build a more sustainable and resilient food system.
of CO2-e is generated from wasted food in Australia each year (1).
Australia wastes 7.6 million tonnes of food a year, enough to fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground ten times over, 70% of which is edible (1). Selling more food as intended, minimising disposable costs and creating opportunities to repurpose food waste streams into new products can save businesses.
Businesses on average see a $14 benefit for each $1 they invest in food waste reduction (5). Further, 91% of consumers prefer to buy from organisations taking steps to reduce their food waste (6).
cost of food waste in Australia each year (1).
The United Nations set 17 interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a global call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure all people can enjoy health, justice and poverty.
Sustainable Development Goal 12.3’s target is to halve global per capita food waste by 2030.
Set in 2017 and in line with SDG 12.3 the National Food Waste Strategy provides a framework to support collaborative action towards food waste reduction in Australia. A feasibility study was conducted in 2021 to identify what’s required to achieve this goal.
Australia’s goal is halving Australia’s food waste by 2030.
End Food Waste Australia aims to create a more productive, sustainable and resilient Australian food system by ending food waste and food insecurity.
Our vision is an Australia without food waste, starting with halving food waste by 2030.
Sources:
Food waste is a systemic issue occurring throughout the entire food supply chain. Find out more about how it occurs and how to reduce it.
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We have already made significant progress toward reducing food waste. Take a look at the ways we are shaping the future for the better.
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Discover the Australian Food Pact and how you can become part of the plan to end food waste and create a more sustainable future.
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