New research released by not-for-profit End Food Waste Australia to coincide with Food Waste Action Week (17 – 23 March) has revealed substantial improvements in behaviours and perceptions around household food waste, with 90% of Aussies now agreeing they have a responsibility to help end food waste in Australia.
Six months since launching ‘The Great Unwaste’, a nationwide campaign to rally households across the nation to reduce their food waste, there’s been a significant shift in Australians intentions to implement key food waste reduction behaviours with more Australians intending to improve the way they plan, stick to their shopping lists and prepare the right amount of food.
Just over three quarters (78%) of Aussies said they now intend to incorporate regular ‘leftover nights’ into their weekly meal plans, which only half were doing before, while simple tips such as checking recommended serving sizes saw an increase of almost 25%.
Dr Mark Boulet, food waste behavioural expert from BehaviourWorks Australia commented: “The signs are encouraging that The Great Unwaste is helping people to reframe food waste reduction as something achievable rather than overwhelming. One of the strongest predictors of behaviour change – intended action – has skyrocketed.
“By focusing on realistic and flexible solutions, more Australians are seeing the benefits of wasting less and saving more. Small daily changes, as simple as checking who is eating before cooking and following recommended portion sizes, soon turn to habits, leading to long-term change in how we consume and value food.”
The Great Unwaste Campaign Director, Mandy Hall, emphasised reducing food waste is a rewarding opportunity for the whole household to be involved in.
“No one likes throwing food, or money, in the bin. The Great Unwaste shows that reducing food waste doesn’t mean sacrificing taste or fun in the kitchen. Learning to love your leftovers and prepping your meals for the weekare opportunities to get creative, cook smarter, and enjoy food even more!” she says.
With the campaign target looking to reduce household food waste by 20% by 2030, there is still work to be done. With more food waste being generated in households than in any other part of the supply chain (32%), research shows that many households are still struggling with food management. The main barriers to reducing food waste include the perceived time to change habits (42%) and forgetting to plan (17%).
End Food Waste Australia and The Great Unwaste is urging more Australians to join the movement and learn the best ways to unwaste online at www.thegreatunwaste.com.au.
