THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
MEDIA RELEASE
Sunday 29 September 2024
New campaign to help Australians save food, save money, and save the environment
A new campaign launched today by not-for-profit organisation End Food Waste Australia, with the support of the Australian Government, will help Australians save food, save money, and save the environment.
The average household spends over $2,500 a year on food they end up throwing in the bin.
But a new national campaign, informed by years of nation-leading behavioural science research, will help us cut food waste with a few simple changes.
Better food storage, flexible meal planning and creative use of leftovers are just some of the practical tips suggested.
The research shows the average Australian household wastes more than four kilograms of food a week - more than twice the amount they think they do.
Collectively, households around the country are throwing away $19.3 billion a year of uneaten food.
Food waste from farm to fork costs the Australian economy about $36.6 billion per year, with the equivalent of 29 million meals thrown away every single day. Around a third of food waste happens in the home.
We can also make a big impact on the environment by cutting food waste. It takes a landmass bigger than Victoria to grow all the food that is unused in Australia each year. This waste is responsible for around three per cent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions and is a huge tax on our land and water resources.
The campaign is an important part of Australia’s goal to halve food waste by 2030, outlined in the National Food Waste Strategy.
Read more about the campaign: thegreatunwaste.com.au
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:
“Cost of living pressures have Australians looking for ways to save at home, and making the most of their food is one of them.
“We know many households already take steps to reduce food waste - and there’s evidence there are even more savings available.
“The average Australian household spends over $2,500 a year on food that doesn’t make it to the kitchen table. This is money that could be spent on so many other things.
“For Australians looking for help, this campaign gives us practical tips, backed by science, to cut our food waste – from flexible food planning to creative use of leftovers.
“Australia is on a mission to halve food waste throughout the supply chain by 2030 – and households are a big part of this journey. Not only does cutting food waste mean more money in our pockets, but it can also help to bring down greenhouse gas emissions and stop 2.5 million tonnes of food waste going to landfill.
“I encourage all Australians, state, territory and local governments, businesses and food rescue organisations to join the fight against food waste. Small changes can make a big difference for our environment and our wallets.
“Importantly, the Government is also taking action to stop the big supermarkets ripping off Australians at the checkout.”
ENDS
