This Year’s Focus: Food Waste
The global waste crisis threatens climate stability, ecosystems and human health, requiring urgent zero-waste action. As we mark the International Day of Zero Waste 2026, the spotlight turns to one of the most urgent and solvable challenges of our time: food waste.
The world is wasting food on a staggering scale, undermining food security and compromising progress toward a zero-waste, circular future. In 2022, while 783 million people went hungry, 1.05 billion tonnes of food were wasted while nearly 19 per cent of all food available to consumers.
Most food waste occurs in households (60 per cent), followed by food service (28 per cent) and retail (12 per cent), proving that food waste is a global challenge that requires action everywhere.
Reducing food waste is a top climate solution.
Food waste alone accounts for up to 14 per cent of global methane emissions, a powerful greenhouse gas. Cutting food waste not only reduces methane from landfills but also prevents emissions from food production, transport, refrigeration and disposal – making it one of the most cost-effective and achievable climate actions available today.
Beyond climate benefits, reducing food waste makes food systems more efficient, resilient and sustainable.
Preventing waste saves land, water and energy, reduces financial losses – estimated at US$1 trillion annually – and creates opportunities for innovation, job creation and circular economy solutions.
As we mark the fourth International Day of Zero Waste, everyone has a role to play:
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Governments can integrate food waste reduction into national climate and biodiversity plans, promote urban food circularity and strengthen public–private partnerships. By joining the Food Waste Breakthrough they can commit to halving global food waste by 2030, helping cut methane emissions by up to 7%.
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Businesses can set measurable targets, innovate across the value chain and report their progress transparently. By joining the Food Waste Breakthrough, businesses can commit to a clear action plan that contributes to global goals.
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Consumers can plan meals, store food properly, use leftovers creatively and embrace mindful consumption to cut waste and save resources.
Together, we can aim for zero food waste and accelerate a circular, sustainable future.