Food Waste: Leading Cause of Biodiversity Loss
New research from Zero Waste Scotland
Fresh research from Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) has exposed the broad environmental consequences of household food waste. The Food For Thought study reveals that food waste does far more than fuel climate change: it is also a leading driver of biodiversity loss, land use pressures, excessive water consumption and air pollution.
According to ZWS, food waste is the single biggest contributor to biodiversity decline and land use change in Scotland. It also ranks as the second-highest source of environmental impact in terms of water usage and climate change – exceeded only by textiles.
£1.3 billion worth of food wasted annually
The study highlights the staggering scale of the problem. Scottish households are estimated to discard food worth £1.3 billion every year. Evening meals alone make up around 40% of this total.
The report stresses that food waste exerts the most significant pressure on biodiversity and land use compared with any other household waste stream, making it a critical area for intervention.
Expert commentary from Zero Waste Scotland
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive at ZWS, explained:
“This research shows the enormous impact that our food system has – not only on climate change but on the environment more broadly. Reducing food waste at home is essential, both for household budgets and for protecting our planet.”
He added that systemic change is needed:
“The responsibility cannot sit with consumers alone. Businesses, policymakers, charities and brands must all work together to raise the profile of food waste and develop solutions to address it.”
A new Household Intervention Plan
Food waste reduction has already been identified by the Scottish Government as a key priority within its Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030.
As part of this commitment, ZWS will oversee the creation of a Household Intervention Plan for Food Waste Reduction, developed in partnership with government and stakeholders. The plan will promote behaviour change at household level, offering practical, evidence-based interventions to cut food waste in daily life.
Government response
Gillian Martin, Scotland’s Climate Action Secretary, welcomed the findings:
“This research highlights the extensive environmental impact of household waste in Scotland – on climate, air quality and biodiversity. While progress has been made, much more needs to be done. Tackling food waste must remain a central focus.”
She stressed that coordinated action across households, businesses and institutions is vital to deliver measurable results.
Food waste and Scotland’s circular economy
Alongside its focus on food waste, ZWS recently published research into the wider circular economy. In 2021, circular industries in Scotland generated £7.11 billion in gross value added (GVA), demonstrating their importance not only to environmental sustainability but also to economic growth.
Affordable Waste Management: Supporting UK Businesses
At Affordable Waste Management, we recognise that reducing food waste is only part of a much larger challenge: ensuring businesses across the UK remain compliant with waste legislation while keeping costs under control.
With a network of over 200 trusted contractors and full nationwide coverage, we provide tailored commercial waste services: from regular waste collections to reliable recycling and waste disposal solutions. Our goal is to make waste management simple, cost-effective, and sustainable, helping companies meet legal requirements and reduce their environmental footprint.