• New Love Food Hate Waste survey shows people think food waste is inevitable and beyond their control. But households are missing out on many social, economic and environmental benefits of preventing food waste in the first place. 
• 'Make your food go fuuuurther' – Food Waste Action Week (9^th – 15^th March) shows how reducing food waste can save you money, time, and help your health and head space.
• 2026 marks a huge year in the battle against food waste as millions get weekly food waste collections through Simpler Recycling reforms in England.

New survey data from Love Food Hate Waste shows that almost two thirds (64%) of people in the UK agree that some food waste at home is inevitable and that there's little they can do to avoid it. When asked why, the key reasons for most relate to food spoilage and expiration dates, the complexity and unpredictability of daily life, and issues with cooking and portion control. The survey also showed that 80% of people asked believe they waste less food than the national average.

Love Food Hate Waste is determined to change this perception, and Food Waste Action Week is setting the nation a five-day challenge to take food waste off the menu and enjoy the unexpected benefits that making the most of the food you buy can bring.

This year, the campaign will coincide with the roll out of Simpler Recycling in England. From 31^st March, approximately 4 in 5 homes in England will be able to have food waste collected on a weekly basis and recycled into organic material, to help produce electricity and biomethane gas. *

The impact of household food waste on the environment and our wallets

By the end of Food Waste Action Week, an average household of four will have already thrown away £200 worth of food they could have eaten. Every year, 4.4 million tonnes of edible food is thrown away from UK homes, generating 16 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. The total cost of food waste is a staggering £17 billion per year which is £1,000 a year for an average household of four. 

On average, a person in the UK wastes food equivalent to 3 meals per week. What we waste as a nation per year would fill Wembley Stadiums 8 times over and the Royal Albert Hall 88 times.

Separate food waste collections will make it more obvious what we're throwing away and combined with Love Food Hate Waste and Food Waste Action Week campaigning, it's hoped this will help many more people cut their food waste and save money.

Catherine David, CEO at WRAP, said: The average household of four spends a whopping £1000 each year on good food that goes in the bin and could have been eaten. Of course, no one is choosing to waste food, which is why this Food Waste Action Week we are highlighting all the ways to 'Make your food go fuuuuurther' by giving people all the tips and tricks they need to fight food waste.  And with councils now rolling out food waste recycling to people's homes, any inedible food that does go in the bin can now be recycled. Love Food, Hate Waste!"

Circular Economy Minister Creagh said: "Food Waste Action Week is a powerful reminder that tackling food waste is one of the simplest and most effective ways to cut costs for families and reduce our impact on the planet. By making small changes like planning meals and using up leftovers, households can save hundreds of pounds while also helping to lower emissions. Our new Simpler Recycling reforms will make it easier for households to recycle their food waste – with all local authorities required to offer food waste collections from 31 March. I urge everyone to take part in Food Waste Action Week and play their part in building a more sustainable, resilient food system."

New citizen survey data

Using insights from brand new Love Food Hate Waste's survey, Food Waste Action Week is highlighting how 'making food go fuuuuurther' can make many elements of daily life a whole lot easier – many you might not have considered.

Monday – for your money

• It's the lower cost staples such as bread, potatoes and carrots that are wasted more than expensive foods like pork and fresh chicken, suggesting that price influences how carefully we use and value certain foods.
• Over one quarter (27%) of people questioned, classified as high food wasters. Simple tips can help - over buying can be avoided by checking your stocks before heading to the shops. Scan the fridge, freezer and cupboards for items which need using up – a potato starting to sprout, a bread crust and any bendy carrots can be repurposed into a meal you've already paid for.

Tuesday – for your time

• Eating out is on the rise: meals eaten outside the home increased from 18% to 25% (2024 to 2025). And when life gets busy, people often swap cooking from scratch for last minute takeaways or ready meals, even though there may be plenty of food. These displace meals already in the fridge and have a strong link to high food waste – ironically, a carefully stocked fridge can soon turn to waste when food isn't used in time.
• Instead of reaching for the takeaway app, make Tuesday your weekly 'fridge freestyle' night. No shopping, no recipe, no stress - just five minutes rummaging through what you've already got and getting creative with some fridge tapas.

Wednesday – for your planet

• The latest data shows food waste ranks only fifth among people's food concerns with food prices, the health properties of food, animal welfare and the impact of processed/ultra processed food of more pressing concerns. But food waste is a huge environmental issue which we're often oblivious to – were it a country, food waste would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, trailing only China and the United States so don't write it off.
• Your food waste caddy is your secret weapon against climate change. Recycling inedible foods such as eggshells and tea bags keeps it out of landfill, where it releases harmful methane. Instead, it's used to produce renewable energy and nutrient-rich biofertiliser for British farms to help grow food for tomorrow's dinner.

Thursday – for your health

• People are worried about what is in their food but are less concerned about throwing food away. The concern about things like pesticides has risen from 23% in 2024 to 29% in 2025, while worry about additives/antibiotics is up from 28% to 32%, and concern about GM foods has increased from 19% to 25%.
• For a healthy lifestyle, it is recommended to eat five portions of fruit and veg a day - yet fruit and veg often ends up in the bin. To optimise the health benefits of fresh produce even further, leave the peel on. People who waste more food at home often struggle using fresh foods, but you can max out the nutritional value of your food and use every part by not peeling many vegetables and fruits. The skins on potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and other veg are packed with fibre, vitamins, and flavour. Just give them a quick scrub under the tap and you're good to go - saving time and boosting nutrition in one move.

Friday – for your headspace

• The tempo of daily life doesn't always allow the headspace to think about food waste prevention and Friday is often when all cooking inspiration is depleted and that takeaway app is calling. If Friday night is takeout night or you're heading away for the weekend, the freezer is your friend. Why not 'Race your rider' – do a quick scan of the fridge while you're waiting for your delivery to arrive. Products like fish or meat with use by dates can go in the freezer where they'll stay fresh until you're ready to use them. See Seven foods you never knew you could freeze | Love Food Hate Waste
• 18% of those surveyed are comfortable not using up all the food they buy, which has increased from 11% (2024 versus 2025) indicating a growing acceptance, or reduced concern, around food waste. But it's time we got uncomfortable with wasting food – particularly when by Sunday 15 March an average household of four will have already wasted £200 of edible food this year.

Food Waste Action Week is the UK's flagship annual event delivered by WRAP's Love Food Hate Waste brand.

https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/take-action-save-food/food-waste-action-weekhttps://www.wrap.ngo/take-action/love-food-hate-waste

https://www.wrap.ngo/resources/report/understanding-household-food-waste-uk-household-food-management-survey-2026