According to UN data, approximately 60% of all food waste is generated at the household level. The remaining portion of waste comes from restaurants and stores, indicating deficiencies in food systems encompassing production, distribution, and consumption.
To address this issue, it is necessary to rethink existing systems and transition to more sustainable and circular models based on principles of efficiency and environmental friendliness.
The International Day for a World Without Waste is celebrated on March 30. The initiative for adopting the corresponding resolution in 2022 was led by Turkey along with 105 other countries.
In 2026, the focus of the International Day for a World Without Waste will be on issues related to food — what we eat, what we throw away, and how we can move towards a circular economy.
To combat this problem, governments at both national and local levels can implement strategies to reduce food waste in their climate and biodiversity plans.
The private sector can also begin tracking losses and taking measures to reduce them. Such measures may include:
- improving food waste accounting;
- optimizing supply chains;
- redesigning retail;
- redistributing surplus food using transparent and circular business models.
Consumers can contribute to solving the problem by planning their purchases, making conscious choices, properly storing food, and using it fully. This includes sharing with neighbors, reusing leftovers, and composting inevitable organic waste.
