151 kilograms per second. So much food is wasted in Poland

Poland is at the forefront of food waste

The situation is similar in Poland. Data from the Institute of Environmental Protection - National Research Institute (IOŚ-PIB), submitted to the European Commission, show that approximately 4.76 million tons of food waste are generated annually in our country. Of this, over 2.57 million tonnes are accounted for by households. This means that we throw away most of our food in our own homes.

"Every second, approximately 151 kilograms of food waste is generated in Poland, which is over 9 tons per minute and as much as 13,000 tons per day in the entire food supply chain, but more than half of this amount, i.e. approximately 82 kilograms per second, almost 5 tons per minute and over 7,000 tons per day, is generated in households alone, i.e. in the homes of Poles," emphasizes IOŚ-PIB.

Where is food waste produced?

Food waste is generated at every stage of the supply chain - from production, through processing, trade, to catering and our homes. According to IOŚ-PIB data, apart from households, the largest amounts of waste are generated in:

primary production – approx. 795 thousand tons per year,

processing and manufacturing – approx. 579 thousand tone,

retail and distribution – approx. 491 thousand tone,

restaurants and catering services – approx. 322 thousand tone.

Food waste is not just about losing food

The problem of food waste is not only an ethical or economic issue. It is also a huge burden on the environment. According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the global water footprint of unconsumed food is as much as 250 km³ per year. Nearly 1.4 billion hectares of agricultural land are used to produce this food - that's as much as 28%. world area of ​​arable fields.

According to a study by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), food waste is responsible for approximately 8-10 percent. global greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing this phenomenon is therefore crucial not only for our wallets, but also for the protection of the climate and natural resources.

How to reduce food waste?

IOŚ-PIB experts emphasize that the fight against food waste must take place at every stage of the supply chain - from producers, through stores, to consumers. Educational activities that help translate knowledge into everyday decisions are key.

Planning your shopping, storing your products properly and using the food you already have are simple ways to reduce waste and save money.

We influence the scale of food waste both locally and globally. The awareness and attentiveness of all food market participants - both those who produce and sell it and those who buy and consume it - are of key importance. Everyday decisions may mean losses or savings, because wasting food also involves wasting resources and money - says Dr. Eng. Sylwia Łaba from IOŚ.

Effective food management requires both reliable data on the scale of the problem and knowledge on how to reduce it. As part of the SMART-FOOD project, IOŚ-PIB conducts educational activities aimed at promoting practical solutions and building social awareness.