£13 billion of edible food was needlessly thrown away from homes in 2015. The latest results from the recycling body wrap show that 7.3 million tonnes of food is wasted, which if prevented, would have the environmental benefit of taking one in four cars off the road.

The figures come from WRAP, the food waste experts that work with governments, businesses, local authorities and consumers to reduce waste,  and the organisation is calling for everyone to ‘Unite in the food waste fight”

WRAP’s CEO Marcus Gover said:

“Citizens are wasting one million tonnes less food per year, which means over 8 million tonnes less food waste than when we started tackling this issue in 2007. But it is incredibly challenging to reduce food waste, and the stalling of progress shows just how difficult it is. That’s why I’m calling on all businesses, organisations, campaigners and NGOs who work in this area, to unite together in in the fight against food waste. By working together we can win this battle.”

It’s not just businesses that need to unite in the food waste fight. Every person in the UK can help reduce food waste. WRAP’s research found that almost 60% of people believe they personally waste either no food or hardly any, even though people know food waste is an issue.  

To help people get involved in tackling food waste, WRAP is undertaking consumer research, investigating what will motivate people to act differently, what constraints they are under and what messages and interventions will be most effective. Lessons will also be sought from our work in Wales, which has seen a reduction in household food waste of 12% per person since 2009.

Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said:“Good progress has been made by industry to tackle food and packaging waste in the supply chain and it goes to show the achievements that can be made through working together with partners across the UK.

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