Tackling food waste and loss across Ireland is one of the key steps we can take to save money and help combat climate change, according to climate and environment chiefs.
As well as reducing emissions, it is hoped that cutting food waste in half by 2030 in line with UN sustainable development goals will also support the transition to a more sustainable future.
The approach to tackling food waste here was first set out in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, published in September 2020.
But now the Government is hoping to take that work one step further with a National Waste Prevention Roadmap.
The draft plan, which ties in with UN commitments, aims to reduce waste at all levels in the supply chain - not just among consumers.
Circular Economy Minister said: “Food waste prevention is a climate action that we can all undertake, as part of our everyday behaviour.
“Every individual, every household, every business and every organisation can play a vital role by cutting down on the amount of food we needlessly throw away every day.”
According to the latest EPA food waste stats, almost half of Ireland’s food is being wasted by the processing and manufacturing sector (497,448 tonnes).
Households were responsible for the next biggest slice of the waste pie (254,745 tonnes), followed by the commercial interests like restaurants or food services (236,530 tonnes).
Retail and distribution created 111,297 tonnes of food waste.
The figures for 2019 exclude food wasted at the primary production stage as this data is not currently available.
Issues across the sectors include poor planning and demand forecasting, price volatility and product specifications, bad weather, quality and stock issues, improper packaging, confusion over product dates and large portions.
Through its Food Waste Prevention Roadmap, Ireland’s Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications hopes to help every level of the food chain find a way forward on the costly issue.
After establishing baseline data on food waste, proposals and already existing plans in the public consultation document include research on ‘Use By’ and ‘Best Before’ dates; mandatory green criteria in public food and catering services; food waste reduction targets for business; investigating barriers to food donation, mandatory donations and the potential impact of banning the destruction of edible food before its use-by date.
Minister Smyth added: “Ireland’s National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap will bring action on food waste prevention, across key sectors in the food supply chain, together in a coherent manner.
“It will provide a pathway to achieve the goal of reducing food waste by 50% by 2030.”
Everyone can have their say on the National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap up to 5.30pm on Thursday, March 24 this year at https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/96a04-public-consultation-on-the-draft-national-food-waste-prevention-roadmap/.
