Ireland generates 750,000 tonnes of food waste in a year
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In Ireland, approximately 750,000 tonnes of food is wasted each year — the equivalent of 7,000 blue whales — and is a “significant contributor” to climate change, new research has found.
A report by MyWaste.ie, found food waste generates between 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore, preventing and reducing food waste has “both environmental and financial benefits”.
Ahead of National Food Waste Recycling Week, which begins on June 2, consumers and businesses are being urged to use a brown bin, recycle their food waste, and reduce their carbon footprint.
The campaign, now in its third year, aims to provide practical advice and encourage more consumers and businesses to recycle food waste correctly in their home or workplace.
Currently over two thirds of all households are using a brown bin. Research conducted by iReach on over 1,000 adults revealed that for those who do use a brown bin, helping climate change is the top motivation, with 35% saying they use a food waste bin for this reason.
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However, despite this, there are still some people who put food waste in the general waste bin, meaning it will never be recycled.
A recent study from the Environmental Protection Agency found that in commercial general waste bins, 30% of contents are food waste, while in household general waste bins only 17% of the content is food waste.
Resource efficiency officer at MyWaste.ie, Pauline McDonogh says “we have made great progress in Ireland” but she encouraged consumers and businesses to “please start” using a brown bin and “make a positive change for our environment”.
New legislation, introduced in January, means everyone in Ireland is now entitled by law to a brown bin service.
“We want to highlight the importance of separating waste food from its packaging to ensure we reduce contamination and achieve high-quality compost and raw material for green energy which is then good for the environment as it is a closed production process and supports our circular economy,” Ms McDonogh concluded.