Why Avoid Food Waste?
Ireland’s Food Waste Charter is a national initiative led by the EPA which aims to promote a collective industry commitment to reduce food waste along the entire supply chain.
The Charter is a voluntary agreement to accelerate action to reach Ireland’s food waste reduction target under the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3.
Ireland, along with almost 200 other countries, has committed to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including: “By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.” The Charter promotes a collective industry commitment to measure, reduce and report food waste along the entire food supply chain. Food waste is a global issue, having negative impacts on the environment, society, and the economy. One quarter of the food that is produced worldwide is lost or wasted. Given that 8–10% of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by food loss and waste, it has a substantial impact on the climate as food production, processing, and transportation all require substantial amounts of energy, water, and land.
Food waste generated in Ireland in 2022
In 2022 a total of 750,000 tonnes of food waste was generated in Ireland, of which:
Supporting Organisations
Make your pledge today
Join other Irish food and drink sector businesses and pledge your commitment to reduce food waste now.