New research by food app Too Good To Go has found that the average Irish household wastes €660 of food a year. 

As well as the financial cost, there is also an environmental impact too; the UN estimates that food loss and food waste account for between 8 and 10% of global carbon emissions. 

On Lunchtime Live, Machaela O’Leary of Too Good To Go described it as “such a pressing issue”. 

“€660 for the average consumer but then we’re seeing in the average Gen Z demographic, a higher percentage again,” she said. 

“With up to 14% of food purchased going in the bin, which does seem crazy, frankly.

“We asked consumers, how much of the food they do buy, do they think they put in the bin every week?” 

“The majority of consumers reported about 10%, if not slightly higher.” 

Food waste in a recycling bin at home. Picture byb: Daisy-Daisy / Alamy

Ms O’Leary continued that there are certain items which are more at risk of getting chucked out than others. 

“We know that items like bread, bakery items, fruits and vegetables, are some of those higher waste categories,” she explained. 

“You know yourself, you go into the cupboard, your bread is a bit stale or your salad leaves are looking a little limp and you just end up throwing it in the bin.” 

However, the research also found that a significant number of people would like to cut down on their food waste. 

“On the positive, the research shows that 81% of shoppers are committed and aware [about the need to] reduce food waste,” she said. 

“So, that’s a really big percentage of the population. 

“Frankly, it was a surprise to me too to see that our younger shoppers who maybe don’t fully connect food waste with the environmental impact. 

“We do know that that’s a common misconception sometimes.” 

Solution

Ms O’Leary said with better education - especially among the young - there could be a significant reduction in the amount of food chucked in the bin. 

“Reducing your food waste is actually the number one thing that an individual can do,” she said. 

“When we’re talking about something as big and scary as rising climate temperatures and this massive challenge, being able to do something meaningful and tangible yourself is so important.”

Main image: Food waste in a recycling caddy. Picture by: Alamy.com.