Calling every business along the food supply chain to reduce food waste
Origin Green, Ireland’s food and drink sustainability programme, is the only national food and drink sustainability programme in the world. It is centred on measurable difference, with independent verification at its core, operating across the entire food supply chain and on a national scale.
In June, Bord Bia joined Government and a number of State agencies and champion food sector businesses to pledge their commitment to the EPA’s new Food Waste Charter. Businesses operating across the food supply chain signing the Charter commit to measure their food waste, set targets and take target-based action to reduce food waste, and to report annually on progress.
This month we feature an interview with
Bolloch, EPA Food Waste Prevention Programme team lead, to find out more about this new Charter.
Odile Le Why was this new food charter launched?
Ireland has committed to halving food waste by 2030 under UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3. Global food waste accounts for c.10% of global Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. With almost 800,000 tonnes of food waste generated in Ireland annually, meeting Ireland’s commitment is
particularly challenging, and we don’t have much time. Building on the success of the first charter — which launched in 2017 and focused on the grocery retail sector — this new, more ambitious Charter expands the call to action to every organisation in Ireland’s food supply chain.
We need to work together. Every business along the food supply chain and in the food services sector must play their part to reduce food waste. These businesses are called on to sign the Food Waste Charter and make a commitment to prevent food waste. The Food Waste Charter is a public expression of commitment to reduce food waste by businesses and organisations in Ireland. And by championing the Charter, state agencies that play a key role in supporting the food and drink sector will support businesses to achieve these goals.
What are the benefits of reducing food waste in businesses?
Reducing food waste is an important climate action that can reduce our GHG emissions. Preventing and reducing food waste brings savings for businesses too, through improved resource efficiencies, contributing to a lower carbon footprint. Many food and drink businesses are looking at more efficient production processes and innovation to reduce and prevent food waste. By signing up and actively engaging with the Food Waste Charter, businesses will have the opportunity to support their climate action goals and reduce their food waste.
How does the Origin Green Programme help companies address food waste?
Addressing the food waste challenge is a key priority for Origin Green manufacturing members under their waste target. Within their waste target, they will identify if food waste occurs in their operations, and if so will seek to integrate companywide actions to increase food waste prevention across their operations. For the retail and foodservice charter, food waste is a mandatory target for all members.
Origin Green has developed guidance on food waste prevention and the EPA Food Waste Measurement Protocol can help Origin Green members to measure their food waste using a consistent and standard approach. By measuring where food is being wasted, businesses can identify appropriate interventions with the greatest potential and implement target-based actions to reduce food waste in the business.
How can businesses get involved?
To sign up to the Food Waste Charter and pledge to measure and reduce food waste, visit foodwastecharter.ie.