Food waste is a pressing issue in Germany and around the world. Every day, we throw away large amounts of edible food—with dire consequences for the environment, climate, and global food security. How much food ends up in the trash, and how can we contribute to a solution? This article provides an overview and explains how we can avoid food waste.
Food Waste in Germany
Avoiding food waste is increasingly coming into focus, especially with alarming statistics. In Germany, millions of tons of edible food end up in the trash each year. Private households contribute to about 60% of this waste, followed by the food service industry (17%) and retail (7%).
How Much Food is Thrown Away in Germany?
According to recent statistics, around 11 million tons of food are thrown away annually in Germany. Of this, about 6.6 million tons come from private households, showing that consumers play an essential role in reducing food waste. On average, each person discards about 79 kilograms of edible food per year. Fresh products such as fruits, vegetables, bread, and dairy are most commonly wasted, a large portion of which is avoidable.
Consequences of Food Waste
The consequences of food waste are substantial, impacting the environment and society globally. Food that ends up in the trash not only wastes resources required for production, like water, energy, and labor, but it also increases greenhouse gas emissions.
Resource Waste
To avoid food waste, we must value the resources necessary for food production. Farming and transportation consume water and energy. For example, producing one kilogram of beef requires about 15,000 liters of water.
Climate Change
Each year, the production and decomposition of discarded food contribute around 4.4 billion tons of CO₂ emissions—about eight percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. By avoiding food waste, we could significantly reduce this percentage.
Ethics and Social Responsibility
Food waste also raises ethical issues, particularly considering global hunger. Access to food is unequal worldwide, and while millions face hunger, industrialized nations waste vast amounts of food.
How to Avoid Food Waste
Avoiding food waste requires conscious consumer habits and structural changes across food service, retail, and production. Every individual can contribute through a few simple measures.
Overproduction and Smart Shopping
One of the biggest issues is overproduction. Supermarkets often overstock to maintain variety, and consumers frequently overbuy without a clear plan. Smart shopping can help avoid food waste.
Tips for Smart Shopping
- Plan and Make a Shopping List: Writing a list before shopping helps avoid purchasing unnecessary items.
- Check What You Have: Review what’s already at home to prevent duplicate purchases.
- Don’t Shop Hungry: Shopping when hungry leads to buying more than needed, much of which ends up in the trash.
Creative Use of Leftovers and Proper Storage
A simple way to avoid food waste is through creative use of leftovers. Instead of throwing away extra food, a little creativity can transform it into delicious meals. Leftover vegetables can go into soups, casseroles, or stews. Bread remnants are great for croutons, breadcrumbs, or bread pudding. Effective storage also helps: place items nearing expiration at the front of the fridge to use first. Regularly checking and sorting inventory can greatly reduce food waste.
Proper Food Storage and Understanding Shelf Life
Many foods go to waste due to improper storage or misunderstanding shelf life. Knowing how to store items like fruits, vegetables, and bread correctly can extend their freshness and help avoid food waste. Potatoes, onions, and apples, for example, should be stored in a cool, dark place, while many fruits stay fresher outside the fridge. Moreover, understanding the best-before date helps avoid waste. Contrary to popular belief, the best-before date does not mean the product is inedible after the specified day. Often, food remains good for days or weeks beyond, and a quick smell or taste test can reveal if it’s still edible.
Mindful Sharing of Food
Another way to avoid food waste is sharing surplus food. If it’s clear certain products won’t be consumed in time, ask neighbors, friends, or family if they can use them. Food-sharing initiatives or neighborhood apps also provide a way to give away extra food for free. These platforms are environmentally friendly, promote community, and raise awareness about the value of food, helping us all reduce waste and conserve resources.
Avoiding Food Waste with Apps
Initiatives like “Zu gut für die Tonne” (= too good for trash) educate consumers on how to avoid food waste in daily life. These platforms offer tips for repurposing leftovers, such as recipes for extra vegetables or ways to use expired products creatively. Numerous apps like “Too Good To Go” also allow consumers to purchase surplus food from restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets at reduced prices, making it easier to take an active role in fighting food waste.
Zusammenfassung
Each of us can help avoid food waste, protect the environment, and save resources. With mindful shopping, better storage, and creative reuse of leftovers, we can make a significant difference. In Germany, where millions of tons of food are discarded annually, it’s time to rethink our habits. Avoiding food waste means shaping a more sustainable future—for ourselves and future generations.
