Household Food Waste In Canada

In developed countries like Canada, two major sources of food waste stand out: commercial waste, which comes from businesses such as grocery stores and restaurants, and household waste, which occurs in our own kitchens.

In July 2024, researchers at Ivey Business School at Western University in London, Ontario, released a report titled “Good to the Last Bite?”, an in-depth look at household food waste across Canada, with a particular focus on the city of London. The findings were eye-opening, but they also point to clear opportunities for change.

What Counts as Household Food Waste?

There are two types of household food waste:

• Unavoidable food waste, such as eggshells, bones, and coffee grounds - items that simply can’t be eaten.

• Avoidable food waste includes edible food that goes uneaten, such as spoiled produce, leftovers, and plate scrapings.

The majority of what we throw out falls into the avoidable category. This means that with a bit of effort and planning, most households could significantly reduce their food waste.

The Green Bin Paradox

London’s green bin program was introduced to divert food waste from landfills. But according to the Ivey report, it may have had some unintended consequences. Researchers found that, on average, households threw away 50 kg more food per year after the green bin was introduced.

While the green bin is a better option for disposing of unavoidable food waste, it shouldn’t be seen as a free pass to waste more food. The environmental and financial costs of avoidable food waste remain high.

Wasting Food Wastes Money

Letting food go to waste doesn’t just hurt the planet, it hits your wallet too. The Ivey report estimates that Canadian households throw away $700 worth of avoidable food each year. Another organization, Second Harvest, places that number even higher, at $1,800 annually. When you scale that up nationwide, the cost of household food waste adds up to between $10 and $25 billion every year across Canada.

Buying Too Much Is a Key Driver

Overbuying is one of the top reasons food ends up in the trash. Breads, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables are most often wasted because households buy more than they can use in time. Meat is frequently tossed because it passes its best-before date before it’s eaten. Interestingly, financial motivation was cited by many households as the main reason for cutting back on food waste; they simply wanted to stop throwing money away.

Education Makes a Difference

One encouraging takeaway from the Ivey report is that awareness and education can reduce food waste. In one study, London households were given simple resources: information about the local food waste problem, meal planning guides, food storage tips, and advice on using leftovers, as well as physical resources like a grocery list, produce storage bin, and fridge magnet with tips on reducing food waste.

The result? A 30% reduction in avoidable food waste, both in the short and long term.

What You Can Do Today

According to foodwaste.ca, cutting down on food waste starts with three simple steps: Shop smarter. Store smarter. Cook smarter.

By planning meals, buying only what you need, storing food properly, and using leftovers creatively, households can save money and help protect the environment.

To learn more about meal planning, check out our meal planning guide https://www.londonfoodcoalition.com/post/saving-money-and-the-planet-through-meal-planning to get started.

Read the report and access additional resources here: https://www.ivey.uwo.ca/impact/read/2024/07/taking-a-bite-out-of-food-waste/