In Greece 37% of citizens are wasting food at least 1-2 times a month. Young people of 18-34 years of age are wasting even larger amounts, particularly compared to those aged 55 and over.
Food that most often ends up in the garbage includes leftovers, fruit, vegetables and dairy products, as well as bread, pasta and those which have passed their sell-by date.
The WWF in Greece (World Wildlife Fund) has created a program “Better Life” that informs citizens on the impact of food wastage, both on the environment and the household budget. The program provides practical advice on reducing waste and associated benefits for society and the family finances.
Although most people are aware of the need to reduce waste, many still admit to regularly throwing out food.
As highlighted in a survey by Public Issue, one in five Greeks goes shopping without having made a list of what they need, while 17% admit to not eating leftovers and throwing them away. Moreover, only 8% of Greeks are currently reducing their organic waste through composting.
Worldwide, 1.3 billion tons of food are thrown out each year, while 868 million people suffer from malnutrition. Each year the average European wastes 179 kilograms of food, which equates to roughly 590 euros. The production of one kilogram of beef requires 10,000 liters of water, while foods that are thrown away every year in Europe are responsible for the consumption of 50% of irrigation water.
For these reasons the European Union aims to reduce food waste by 50% by the year 2020.
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