The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, held annually on September 29th, encourages global actions to reduce food waste and loss. Here is how to celebrate it!

This day serves as a reminder of the significant environmental, social, and economic impacts of food waste. With nearly one-fifth of food produced globally wasted, reducing food loss is key to achieving sustainability and tackling hunger. Here are five impactful ways to celebrate this day and contribute to the cause.

1. Volunteer with Plan Zheroes at Borough Market

One of the most effective ways to combat food waste is by actively participating in initiatives that directly reduce it. Plan Zheroes works to connect businesses with surplus food to local charities that need it! Volunteering with us at Borough Market is a hands-on way to make a difference. Every week, Plan Zheroes rescues surplus food from traders and redistributes it to those in need, preventing perfectly edible food from ending up in landfills.

By joining this initiative, volunteers not only help recover large amounts of food but also contribute to raising awareness about the importance of food redistribution. It’s a rewarding experience, particularly for those looking to take direct action on food waste while contributing to local communities.

2. Organise a Food Waste Awareness Campaign at work or in your community

Organising a food waste awareness campaign at work or in your local community can have a far-reaching impact. Informing people about the importance of reducing food waste, sharing statistics, and offering practical tips can lead to lasting changes in how people handle food. You could distribute flyers, host talks, or share educational materials on social media to engage a wider audience.

Encourage everyone to assess their food consumption habits and commit to reducing waste. You could even set up a food-saving challenge, asking participants to track their food waste for a week and find creative ways to minimise it. These kinds of collective activities not only raise awareness but foster a sense of community and shared responsibility for the environment.

3. Host a ‘Waste-Free’ dinner party

Another engaging way to observe the day is by hosting a waste-free dinner party, where all meals are created using ingredients that are often overlooked or discarded. Think of vegetable stems, peels, or slightly wilted produce. Highlight the importance of making the most of all parts of the ingredients you use, which helps reduce waste and shows others that it’s possible to cook delicious meals with minimal waste.

Invite guests to bring their own waste-free recipes, or cook a communal meal from leftovers or produce rescued from being wasted. The event can serve as a platform to discuss the impact of food waste and share tips on how to reduce it. You can also introduce guests to food-saving apps, like Too Good To Go, that allow people to access surplus food from local businesses.

4. Start composting at home

One practical way to observe the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is by starting a compost bin at home. Composting reduces the amount of food waste that goes to landfills and turns it into valuable organic material that can enrich the soil.

Teaching yourself and your household about composting can have long-term environmental benefits. Food scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds can all be composted, reducing the overall waste your household produces. If space is limited, consider using small indoor composting systems or participating in a local community composting initiative. Educating others about composting can also make a wider impact, encouraging a more sustainable approach to food waste.

5. Support Restaurants with Zero-Waste Initiatives

Supporting businesses that are committed to reducing food waste is another way to celebrate the day. Many restaurants now embrace zero-waste philosophies, like Silo, utilising every part of their ingredients and finding creative ways to avoid throwing away food. Choosing to dine at these establishments shows your support for sustainable practices and encourages more businesses to follow suit.

You can also participate in zero-waste cooking workshops that some of these restaurants offer. These workshops are an excellent way to learn practical skills to reduce food waste at home. Alternatively, organising a restaurant tour with friends and highlighting zero-waste establishments could raise awareness within your circle and help these sustainable businesses thrive.