Food Waste Research
WRAP is working on a programme of research into food waste. Key reports that have been published are listed below.
A study of the amount, types and nature of the food we throw away in UK households. (May 2008).
Interim findings from a research project examining consumer attitudes and behaviour around storage of fresh fruit and vegetables in the home. Recommendations made as to how consumers and retailers can help to reduce the amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables thrown away in the home are based on a survey of current storage advice. (April 2007).
A market survey of packaging formats and other retailer and in-home solutions to help consumers manage their food inventory better. (July 2007).
Self-dispensing systems are well established in a number of countries and have proved popular with customers and grocery retailers. This study will help UK retailers consider whether implementation of such systems in the UK is commercially viable. (March 2007).
The environmental costs of food waste are enormous. It is estimated that 20% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food production, distribution and storage. If we stopped wasting food that could have been eaten we could prevent at least 15 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions each year. The majority of these emissions are associated with embedded energy but a significant proportion arises as a result of food waste going to landfill sites. Once in landfill, food breakdown produces methane - a greenhouse gas 23 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. (January 2007).
Our initial report into the nature, scale and causes of household food waste. (March 2007).
