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2021 EU food waste: Households account for majority

Data

19 September 2024

2021 EU food waste: Households account for majority

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An illustrative photo of an assortment of dried fruits

According to Eurostat, in 2021 the EU generated over 58 million tonnes of food waste, with households contributing 54% of this total.

Publishing org

Eurostat

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Geographical descriptors

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

EU-27

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Netherlands

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Organisation Type

Academic/Research and VET Institutions

Company with 250 or more employees

Consumer / tourist organisation

Cultural and Heritage Organisations

Destination Management & Marketing Organisations

EU institutions

Financial Institutions and Investors

Industry Associations and Chambers of Commerce

International Organisations

Local authorities

Media/Travel Journalist Organisations

National authorities

Networks and Federations / Confederations

NGOs / Non-profits

Regional authorities

SMEs (a company with less than 250 employees)

Trade Unions

  • Specific types of tourism

    • Adventure tourism

    • Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism

    • Cultural tourism

    • Ecotourism

    • Education tourism

    • Festival tourism

    • Gastronomy tourism

    • Health and medical tourism

    • MICE tourism

    • Mountain tourism

    • Religious tourism

    • Rural tourism

    • Sports tourism

    • Urban/city tourism

    • Wellness tourism

  • Transition Pathway Strategic Areas

    • Coordinated information on travelling

    • Improving statistics and indicators

    • Innovative tourism services

  • Business activities

    • Activities of amusement parks and theme parks

    • Activities of associations and other organisations supporting tourism

    • Air passenger transport

    • Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks

    • Events catering and other food services

    • Festivals, cultural and entertainment activities

    • Gardens and nature reserves activities

    • Holiday Housing / Apartments and other short stay accommodation

    • Hotel and similar accommodation

    • Mobile beverage services

    • Mobile food services

    • Museums

    • Operation of historical sites

    • Other

    • Other accommodation

    • Other amusement and recreation activities

    • Other food and beverage services

    • Other holiday reservation services

    • Other tourism transportation activities

    • Rail Passenger transport

    • Recreational and sport activities

    • Restaurants, cafes and bars (Food and Beverage serving activities)

    • Road passenger transport

    • Tour operator activities

    • Travel agency activities

    • Water (sea, coastal and inland) passenger transport

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The Eurostat article on food waste and prevention reveals that in 2021, the European Union generated about 131 kg of food waste per inhabitant, amounting to over 58 million tonnes. Households were the largest contributors, responsible for 54% of this waste, which translates to 70 kg per person. The remaining 46% came from the food supply chain, including primary production, manufacturing, restaurants, and retail. The impact of COVID-19 on food waste in sectors like restaurants and retail is still under analysis. This data underscores the significant role households play in food waste and highlights ongoing efforts to monitor and reduce it across various sectors.

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