The EPA is calling on the people of Galway to follow the simple tips in the Stop Food Waste Pocket Guide to help reduce food waste and save money.
The Stop Food Waste Pocket Guide helps you identify the food you are wasting and understand why, and has very practical tips on food planning, shopping, cooking and using your food, and food storage tips.
Over 220,000 tonnes of food are wasted by Irish households each year. Food waste is responsible for up to 10 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions globally.
By reducing our food waste, not only are we taking an important climate action, but are also saving money – on average €700 a year spent by households on food that is wasted.
David Flynn, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Sustainability, commented, “Homes and businesses across Ireland are wasting too much food. Food waste is a lost nutritional opportunity and an avoidable pressure on our environment.”
“The EPA’s practical guide will help you to reduce your household’s food waste. For business owners, signing up to the Food Waste Charter is a positive statement that your business is serious about tackling food waste, which has climate impacts and costs your business.”
Food sector businesses in Galway have an important role to play too, as nearly two thirds of food waste in Ireland is generated from businesses.
The first step to reducing food waste is to measure food waste across your business – see Measuring Food Waste – Food Waste for helpful tips.
Food sector businesses can support National Stop Food Waste Day by signing the Food Waste Charter, a national voluntary commitment by businesses who pledge to measure their food waste and take action to reduce it.
Alan Dillon TD Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibility for Circular Economy said that valuable “time, energy and resources” are used making the food we consume.
“By reducing food waste, we are helping to protect and use our resources wisely, as well as supporting efforts to combat climate change.”
“We all have a role to play in preventing food waste and I urge householders and businesses to follow the EPA’s practical advice and tips on how to reduce food waste and help save money.”
EPA food waste prevention expert Odile Le Bolloch explains, “We all waste food and the reasons are different for everyone: we buy too much, we prepare too much, plans change, or leftovers go off in the fridge.”
“Day-to-day it might not seem like much, but when added up, it is costing you money. It takes less than 10 minutes to read our Stop Food Waste Pocket Guide and these small, manageable changes will help cut your food waste and your food bill!”
