New research from the National Zero Waste Council shows that Canadians are wasting less food.
Food waste at home is a big issue in Canada. Of the food that Canadians throw away, 63% could have been eaten. For the average Canadian household that is equal to 140 kilograms of waste per year, at a cost of $1,100 a year.
In June 2020, the National Zero Waste Council commissioned market research to understand the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behaviours related to food waste.
While COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the everyday lives of Canadians, it may have had a positive impact on food management in the home — with Canadians planning more and wasting less.
Research showed that:
- 24% of people are wasting less food than usual, despite buying more food per grocery trip
- 46% of people are checking what food is in the house before shopping more often
- 41% of people are thinking creatively about how to use up leftovers more often
These positive actions suggest we have made a small but significant step forward in the fight against food waste in Canada.
Find food-saving tips and ideas at Love Food Hate Waste Canada.
Read the full report here.
