The 1st of March is National Stop Food Waste Day and this year’s campaign is focused on inviting the public to download and read the Stop Food Waste Pocket Guide, and follow the simple tips to help reduce food waste and save money.
According to recent EPA research, 81% of people are willing to make small changes to reduce the food we waste the most – bread, fruit and veg, and leftovers. On average €700 a year is spent by households on food that is wasted.
70% of water used globally is used in agricultural production.
The food we eat needs a lot of water for growth, processing, packaging, transport and finally in cooking. The water requirements of some of the most important food products are below:
- 21,000 litres of water for 1 kg chocolate
- 16,000 litres of water for 1 kg beef
- 2,800 litres of water for 1 kg chicken
- 3,000 litres of water for I kg rice
- 1,000 litres of water for 1 litre of milk
- 140 litres of water for 1 cup of coffee
Therefore, wasting food is wasting water. There is also a waste of energy and unnecessary pollution impacts owing to the agricultural and food production processes.
Buying locally produced food supports local farmers and least processed is best for the environment. That way we can protect the quality and quantity of water resources.
Education resources prepared by the Water Forum on the impacts of our Water Use.
The-Water-Forum-The-Global-Impacts-Teachers-Resource.pdf
The-Water-Forum-The-Global-Impacts-Students-Workbook.pdf
Here is a pocket guide on how to stop food waste.
