Too Good To Go urgently calls upon Defra to reconsider their decision, recognizing the positive impact that mandatory food waste reporting can have on businesses, the environment, and society at large.
Too Good To Go, a certified B Corp social impact company, on a mission to inspire and empower everyone to fight food waste together, expresses its concern and disappointment following the recent decision by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to opt against introducing mandatory food waste reporting in the UK. This decision comes as a significant blow to the country’s efforts in reducing food waste, especially during a time of cost of living crisis, and poses risks of exacerbating dangerous environmental challenges.
“It is with a heavy heart that we witness Defra’s decision to opt against introducing mandatory food waste reporting,” says Jamie Crummie, Co-founder of Too Good To Go. “Neglecting food waste reduction has far-reaching global consequences, with food waste contributing 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions, surpassing even the aviation industry’s impact. As we continue to witness the devastating effects of climate change across Europe and America this summer, Defra’s decision feels particularly disheartening and regressive, especially when compared to the European Commission’s recent legislative proposal to introduce legally binding food waste reduction targets.”
Defra’s consultation response not only reflects a worrying lack of urgency on this crucial issue but also poses a dangerous threat to our collective ability to achieve the ambitious 2030 environmental and 2050 net-zero goals set out by the Government. Furthermore, it undermines the UK’s pledge to the Sustainable Development Goals, including a commitment to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030, leaving the UK lagging behind our European counterparts in addressing this pressing challenge.
Crummie added: “At Too Good To Go, we firmly believe in the power of data to inform sustainability decisions. Implementing mandatory food waste reporting would be a pivotal and necessary step in supporting people and businesses on their journey to reduce food waste. By providing data insights that highlight the scale of the problem, this measure would enable businesses to adopt effective proactive measures to tackle food waste. Moreover, the crucial data would foster collaboration across the entire value chain, saving time and resources, and promoting a united approach towards food waste reduction”.
Too Good To Go urgently calls upon Defra to reconsider their decision, recognizing the positive impact that mandatory food waste reporting can have on businesses, the environment, and society at large. Although this setback is undeniable, it is vital that businesses and citizens continue to acknowledge the profound impact of food waste on our environment and actively seek ways to combat it together. Too Good To Go advocates for open conversations, collaboration, and sustained actions to address this pressing issue before it becomes irreversible. Together, we can forge a more sustainable and resilient future, where every effort counts in reducing food waste.
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