Food waste costs Irish consumers €832 annually
Research conducted among 1,000 people by Coyne Research on behalf of ALDI and FoodCloud found that, on average, Irish consumers waste €832 worth of food every year.
The research was launched as ALDI and FoodCloud mark their 10-year partnership, and four million meals donated to FoodCloud charities. FoodCloud is dedicated to fighting food waste and food insecurity and has redistributed 123,760 tonnes of food since it was established, the equivalent of over 294.7 million meals.
Food waste in numbers
ALDI’s research has identified a number of key findings in relation to food waste and waste reduction efforts. The findings show that 14% of the average weekly spend on groceries is going to waste. The value of food wasted each week equates to €832 a year for the average household in Ireland.
Now, up to 43% of customers throw out food weekly, down from 47% in 2022, with young families most likely to do so and most likely to be uncomfortable with the amount of food they are throwing away.
80% of consumers say they prepare a weekly meal plan while 59% of consumers said they are buying less food to avoid wasting it. These proactive measures not only help reduce waste but also promote better budgeting to manage ongoing cost-of-living challenges.
Aside from the financial and environmental cost, the opportunity to direct food to those less fortunate is cited as a major motivation for those surveyed.
Managing the cost of living
Irish households remain very conscious of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. 44% of consumers state they have been spending the same as in 2022 on weekly groceries with 37% of Irish consumers claiming they are consciously trying to spend less.
The average weekly spend on groceries for consumers without children is €94 per week, which rises to €129 for consumers with children.
ALDI and FoodCloud
FoodCloud works with numerous partners including ALDI to reduce food loss and waste through redistributing surplus food. This avoids causing significant levels of greenhouse emissions, which helps redistribute surplus food to those who can use it and reduces the cost of food waste disposal.
Food waste is a global problem that has environmental, social and economic consequences and according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ireland loses over €1 billion annually due to food waste.
Since first working together in 2014, ALDI’s partnership with FoodCloud has resulted in the donation of more than four million meals. This has saved over 1.7 million kilograms of food from being wasted, which in return prevents approximately 5.6 million kilograms of CO2-equivalent emissions.
Commenting on the research Colin Breslin (pictured right), Managing Director of Buying and Services at ALDI Ireland, said: “This research emphasises the progress being made in reducing food waste in Ireland and that we are on the right path. Reducing food waste not only brings financial benefits for customers, but also has a positive impact on the environment, and ensures that food can be redistributed to those most vulnerable in society.
“Our 10-year partnership with FoodCloud has been instrumental in addressing this issue, and while there has been a lot of progress in that time, we know there is more to be done. We are committed to providing practical solutions to our customers that can help them make more sustainable choices. By working together, we can make a significant impact on reducing food waste and its negative effects on the environment and society.”
FoodCloud Co-Founder and CEO Iseult Ward (pictured left) added: “The findings underscore the importance of raising awareness about the environmental and social impacts of food waste. Our decade-long partnership with ALDI has made a substantial difference, but continued education and engagement are crucial to further reduce food waste and its harmful effects.”
