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Every meal is a chance to care for people and the planet. On End 29 September- International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction, we’re joining partners around the world to cut food waste—one of the fastest, fairest climate solutions and a matter of basic human dignity.
Some Facts:
- While an estimated 735 million people go hungry globally, food loss and waste generate 8 to 10 percent of GHGs and is a methane hotspot.
- Households waste over 1 billion meals worth of edible food every day, the equivalent of 1.3 meals every day for everyone in the world affected by hunger
- Opportunities to finance food loss and waste reduction and low-carbon diets remain untapped, with only USD 0.1 billion invested annually in 2019/20. This represents a minor fraction of annual needs, estimated at USD 48 to 50 billion.
Why it matters
- Roughly one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted each year.
- Food waste is responsible for an estimated 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
- Wasting food also wastes the water, land, energy, labor, and love that went into producing it—while hundreds of millions of people face hunger and nutritious diets remain out of reach for many.
Reducing food waste is good for the climate, budgets, and environmental justice. It lightens the load on landfills, protects biodiversity, and makes more food available for people who need it most.
7 actions you can take today
- Plan smart. Shop with a list, use “first in, first out,” and cook the right portions.
- Store right. Learn where foods last longest (e.g., onions/potatoes separate; greens washed & spun dry).
- Love your leftovers. Schedule a weekly “use-it-up” meal; freeze extras in labeled containers.
- Decode dates. “Best by” usually means quality, not safety; look, smell, and use your judgment.
- Get creative. Turn stems, rinds, and bones into pesto, stocks, and pickles.
- Share & donate. If safe and allowed locally, direct surplus to community fridges or food-rescue groups.
- Compost what’s truly inedible. Keep nutrients cycling back to soil.
For organizations & campuses
- Measure, then manage. Track what’s discarded and why; target the biggest hotspots.
- Set a 50% reduction goal by 2030 (aligned with SDG 12.3) and report progress.
- Partner locally. Work with food-rescue programs; redesign menus, serving sizes, and signage to prevent waste.
- Educate. Host a no-waste community meal, a teach-in, or an interfaith dialogue on stewardship.
Roya Institute’s commitment
At Roya Institute, we champion practical, justice-centered climate solutions. Throughout the year we’ll share tools, stories, and collaborations that help households, faith communities, and campuses prevent waste first, then rescue and compost what remains. If your group would like to co-host a workshop or pilot a reduction challenge, get in touch.
Make the pledge
Join us in pledging to cut your household food waste by 25% over the next 30 days. Start by tracking what you toss for one week and choosing two habits from the list above to change. Small steps, sustained together, add up.