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Australia throws out over 7.6 million tons of food each year, enough to fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground 10 times over, but some progress is being made to reduce waste as the cost-of-living crisis bites.
Big supermarket chains such as Coles and Woolworths, caterers and manufacturers who are all part of the Australian Food Pact, have reduced their overall food waste by 13 per cent in the past three years.
A 21-page report published on Tuesday by End Food Waste Australia found that an estimated 505,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions were avoided and about 16,000 tonnes of food saved from 2022 to 2024.
The environmental benefits go beyond emissions, with food waste reduction saving precious resources such as water and arable land.
Surplus food has gone towards feeding those who need it the most with over 250 million meals donated to food rescue organisations by the pact’s signatories.
“These outcomes underscore the difference we can make when industry collaborates,” said the group’s acting director Sam Oakden.
“Pact signatories are demonstrating real leadership by reducing surplus and repurposing unsold food. But there is more work ahead if Australia is to reach its target of halving food waste by 2030.”
Savings have also accrued financially for food sellers with the report estimating a combined $57 million retained.
The nearly 50 signatories, which include multinationals such as Nestle and McCain, further avoided $2 million in landfill levies.
The report noted that of the 7.6 million tonnes of food Australia wastes each year, around 70 per cent is perfectly edible.
However, the current tax framework treats food donations the same as waste disposal, discouraging businesses from donating surplus food to charities.
End Food Waste Australia says introducing a food donation tax incentive following other countries such as Canada, France and the United States would encourage businesses to redirect surplus food, an estimated 100 million meals, to those in need rather than sending it to landfill.
Nearly 3.5 million households in Australia ran out of food in the last year, according to hunger relief charity Foodbank.
