Food & Drink
Food sharing milestone
Historic moment for food sharing app Olio as it celebrates 100 million meals rescued.
14 December 2024
There are no mandatory food waste reduction targets in England – despite the fact that roughly a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are linked to food.
Food production is responsible for 15-30% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
If food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases behind China and the US.
FoodCycle’s mission to combat waste and foster healthy, sustainable eating habits is more crucial than ever.
70% of guests coming to FoodCycle reported positively changing their eating habits, which included eating more plant-based food, less red meat and buying more fruits and vegetables, pulses, nuts and seeds.
A further two-thirds of guests reported thinking more about eating in a way that is sustainable for the planet.
In 2024, FoodCycle saved over 320 tonnes of food from going to waste, as well as over 200,600 CO2e.
‘I stop and think about what food I’m buying, is it good for me and the planet?’, says one female guest, aged 75, whose newfound love for sustainable eating stems from her time at FoodCycle.
The environmental benefits of eating sustainably are significant. Animal-based foods, especially red meat, dairy and farmed shrimp, are generally associated with the highest greenhouse gas emissions because they require extensive grasslands, emit methane, occupy coastal lands formerly covered in mangroves and require extensive food to help them grow.
Plant-based foods generally use less energy, land and water, and have lower greenhouse gas emissions than animal-based foods.
Almost 1 billion tonnes of food (17% of all food available to consumers worldwide) goes into bins every year.
Tackling food waste and encouraging more plant-based eating should be at the forefront of government policy to tackle the environmental crisis we face today. Yet there are no mandatory food waste reduction targets in England.
‘Although the UK has voluntary commitments, we need to see real, measurable progress in the government’s strategy to reduce food waste. Promises alone are not enough—action is needed to prevent surplus food from going to waste, especially when so many in our communities are struggling. We welcome the new Defra funding as a positive step toward tackling food waste, but much more needs to be done. With the cost-of-living crisis and food waste issues intertwined, we have an opportunity to address both at once. We also urge government and industry leaders to step up and play their part in ensuring surplus food is redistributed to those who need it most.’
SOPHIE TEBBETTS
FoodCycle CEO
Food waste costs the average UK household around £80 a month. Preventing the waste of nutritious and valuable foods through redistribution and education is vital for the health of the planet (and our pockets).
Adopting a healthier dietary pattern significantly reduces the environmental impact: if we eat healthier foods and eat our five a day, we are also inadvertently helping the planet.
The charity’s community dining model provides more than just a meal; it offers guests the opportunity to connect with others and learn how their food choices can make a difference.
No matter how long they attended, whether three months or over a year, guests reported significant dietary changes.
The research shows that communal dining can enhance access to sustainable meals and offer support to individuals trying to make a positive change in their health and the health of the planet. Community dining is a powerful tool for social good.
‘We believe that sustainability starts with small, thoughtful steps. By turning surplus food into meals, we’re creating a ripple effect that benefits individuals, communities, and the environment. The current food system is broken, our diets contributing to poor health and climate change. FoodCycle shows that cultivating more sustainable food choices that also improve our personal health, can lead to positive impacts on communities and the planet.’
SOPHIE TEBBETTS
FoodCycle CEO
Historic moment for food sharing app Olio as it celebrates 100 million meals rescued.
How you can fight waste, support your community and be a climate hero for COP29.
Award-winning social supermarket calls on government to end reliance on emergency food parcels to tackle food insecurity crisis.
New tool launched to tackle upstream food loss along global supply chains.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Weekly ethical news, offers, comps and a free digital mag (quarterly) – what’s not to love?
