12 Feb 2025
Food Waste Action Week: 17th - 23rd March 2025
The annual Food Waste Action Week campaign is led by WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) under the Love Food Hate Waste initiative. The aim is to raise awareness about the environmental and economic impacts of food waste and to inspire positive change in household food management.
How Significant is Food Waste?
Globally, a significant amount of food is wasted, contributing to environmental degradation and economic loss. In the UK alone, millions of tonnes of edible food are discarded annually, leading to unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions and wasted resources.
Theme for 2025: Embracing Loose Produce
This year's campaign focuses on encouraging consumers to buy loose fruits and vegetables. Research has found that by purchasing loose produce, individuals are more likely to only buy what they need. This reduces the amount of food going bad and in turn reduces food waste at home. If all apples, bananas and potatoes were sold loose, WRAP suggests that approximately 60,000 tonnes of food waste could be prevented annually. By reducing food waste, the average household can save up to £680 per year.
How to Participate
Everyone can contribute to the success of Food Waste Action Week by adopting simple yet effective practices:
- Purchase Only What You Need: Opt for loose produce to buy the exact amount required, minimising the chances of food being wasted.
- Proper Storage: Store fruits and vegetables appropriately to extend their shelf life and maintain freshness.
- Using All the Produce When Cooking: Try using all parts of your produce when cooking. You could try incorporating any leftovers into new meals for example.
- Community Engagement: Participate in local events or workshops focused on food waste reduction and share tips with friends and family.
Get Involved
Organisations, retailers and individuals are encouraged to support the campaign by spreading awareness and implementing food saving practices. Bexley Council has some tips and resources that may help here.
By collectively embracing actions during Food Waste Action Week and beyond, we can make significant strides toward reducing food waste, conserving resources and protecting our environment.