Food Waste Awareness Climbs: Gaps in Effective Action Remain
A recent report by Too Good To Go, titled “Food Waste Gap Report: Exploring Disconnect Between Awareness and Action”, highlights a rising awareness of food waste among UK consumers and businesses. According to the report, 68% of consumers have become increasingly conscious of food waste over the past five years, considering it equally as important as recycling.
Growing Awareness of Food Waste
The report’s findings reflect a marked shift in consumer mindset, with food waste now a high priority for 68% of people surveyed. However, food waste remains a costly issue in the UK, with an annual estimated loss of £22 billion due to 10.7 million tonnes of wasted food—equivalent to a quarter of all purchased food. Still, consumer awareness is seen as a positive sign, laying the foundation for more sustainable practices across sectors.
Increased Prioritisation by Businesses
Businesses, too, have elevated food waste to a top concern, often on par with recycling, and even above reducing plastic packaging or cutting electricity use. However, despite this focus, only one-third of businesses believe they are managing food waste effectively. The report notes that nearly half of surveyed businesses experience monthly sales losses of 1-3% due to food waste, while close to 10% report losses between 3-5%.
Barriers to Effective Food Waste Management
While businesses are increasingly aware of the issue, significant barriers to effective food waste management remain. The report reveals that only 34% of businesses feel they are tackling the problem effectively, citing a lack of resources (24%), financial constraints (28%), and operational disruptions (28%) as key challenges. This gap between awareness and actionable solutions indicates that more structured support is needed.
Consumer Expectations for Businesses
Consumers hold high expectations for food businesses, with 82% of UK households feeling that companies should take further action to reduce food waste. Additionally, 79% of consumers are more inclined to buy from businesses actively implementing food waste reduction measures. These statistics underscore a growing public demand for sustainability practices, pushing companies to align their operations with environmental concerns.
The “Food Waste Gap Report” by Too Good To Go is based on extensive research involving over 400 industry professionals and 1,000 UK consumers, offering valuable insights into the current landscape of food waste awareness and management in the UK.