This is because organic waste going to landfill produces methane, which makes a massive contribution to climate change, many times more than carbon dioxide.
In addition to rotting, there are other emissions related to production, distribution, and transportation of food that goes to waste when food ends up in landfill.
To put it in a local context, close to 60 percent of Wellington’s household waste to landfill is organic! And on average, Wellingtonians spend almost $600 a year per household on uneaten food that goes to landfill.
NZ’s top 10 most wasted foods:
1. Bread
2. Leftovers
3. Oranges
4. Apples
5. Bananas
6. Potatoes
7. Chicken
8. Rice
9. Lettuce
10. Beef
Based on this, there is a significant potential to curb our environmental footprint (and save money and resources) from our homes.
Research shows that consumer decisions and habits rank high when it comes to food waste. In other words, each one of us can make a difference by being more conscious about our food waste.