Food waste figures a "wakeup call" for sector’s carbon ambitions

UK household food waste declined by nine per cent between 2021 and 2022, falling by approximately 400,000 tonnes to six million tonnes annually, but levels remain insufficient to meet international climate targets, according to new data from environmental action NGO WRAP.

The reduction was primarily driven by the end of pandemic restrictions and cost-of-living pressures that saw food price inflation by approximately 17 per cent through December 2022. Despite this decrease, the greenhouse gas emissions relating to household food waste in 2022 were equivalent to 16 million tonnes of CO₂.

Of the 6 million tonnes generated, 4.4 million tonnes was edible food with the remaining 1.6 million tonnes being inedible parts such as eggshells, bones and fruit peel. According to the figures presented, this means that UK shoppers are still spending £17 billion on food that is thrown away, equivalent to an average of £1,000 annually for a household of four people.

Since 2007, household food waste has decreased by 22 per cent. However, WRAP warns that to meet UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, these arisings need to fall by 36 per cent by 2030, which it notes will require significant policy and behaviour-change interventions.

"While collaboration through WRAP's UK Food and Drink Pact has propelled the UK in the field of food waste prevention, it took the end of a pandemic and a cost-of-living crisis to get faster impact," said Catherine David, WRAP CEO. "This is a wakeup call that we all need to act: here in the UK to meet our targets, and through global co-ordination to share expertise and ensure this crucial area is a higher priority and is adequately funded."

The Net Zero Transition Plan for the UK Food System, published in November 2024, identified household food waste prevention as a key demand-side action alongside diet shift to meet Net Zero goals.

In 2022, local authorities spent around £500 million disposing of food waste in residual waste. This is a direct consequence of 83 per cent of UK food waste disposed of as residual waste, ultimately incinerated or sent to landfill, with only 17 per cent collected through separate food waste services.

However, while there is currently significant variation in availability of collection services between the UK’s four nations, with the advent of Simpler Recycling Defra has since committed £295 million to supporting English councils to provide separate food waste recycling services.

WRAP's research found that 78 per cent of people think they waste less food than average, highlighting the need for targeted awareness interventions.

Industry and policy response needed

According to WRAP, there is a need for alignment across policy areas, including removing packaging from fresh produce, changes in the retail environment to help people buy appropriate amounts, and increasing public engagement.

The organisation found that nearly 40 per cent of household food waste occurs because food wasn't used in time, leading to recommendations for retailers including selling loose fresh produce, ensuring availability and appropriate pricing of smaller packs, and changing product labelling. Many retailers have already removed 'Best Before' dates from fresh produce and swapped 'Use By' dates for 'Best Before' dates on dairy products.

Earlier this year, the UK Government included food waste in its Nationally Determined Contributions, underlining the importance of preventing food waste in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, WRAP notes that nine out of ten countries are failing to commit to tackling food loss and waste in their climate commitments.

Waste Minister Mary Creagh commented: "A reduction in food waste is welcome, and we are clear further swift action is needed across the supply chain and in households to stop perfectly good food from being chucked away. We are moving to a circular economy, where we make the best use of the resources we have as possible, and will continue to work with food businesses, producers and charities to drive down food waste."