6 key points show true cost of food waste
A new survey commissioned by Too Good To Go, the world's largest marketplace for surplus food, has uncovered the true cost of food waste in Irish households
Print25 February 2025
Over a third of Irish consumers regularly throw food away, with significant financial and environmental consequences, research shows.
A new survey commissioned by Too Good To Go shows that Ireland generates approximately 750,000 tonnes of food waste annually across primary production, manufacturing, retail, food services, and households, contributing significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Up to 10% of global emissions are linked to food waste, showcasing how avoiding food waste is a critical climate action, the data indicates.
National Stop Food Waste Day, led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), takes place on 1 March, with a week-long campaign running until 7 March.
The campaign is part of Ireland’s commitment to halving food waste by 2030 under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The findings demonstrate the financial and environmental impact of food waste and the growing demand for solutions to help households waste less and save more.
6 key points show true cost of food waste
1/ Financial impact
Food waste is costing Irish households dearly. The average person throws away up to €19 worth of food per month, adding up to €374 per year. Over a quarter (25.2%) estimate their food waste costs between €501 and €1,000 annually. While 73% of Irish adults are aware of their food waste, the challenge remains in translating awareness into action.
2/ Financial motivation
The top reason Irish adults want to reduce food waste is down to how it can save money, cited by 75.3% of respondents. Additionally, 36% are motivated by the broader environmental impact of reducing food waste.
3/ Frequency of waste
30% of Irish households throw away food every week, while 15% discard food every two to three days.
4/ Most commonly wasted foods
Bread and bakery items top the list at 42.4%, proving that while many stock up on loaves before a storm, a significant portion still ends up in the bin. Fresh food produce like fruits and vegetables (40.2%) are also among the most wasted items.
5/ Reasons for waste
The biggest culprit? Forgetting about food in the fridge or cupboard (31%). Other reasons include impulse buying (27%) and not checking cupboards before shopping (23.6%).
6/ Demand for solutions
68% of respondents expressed interest in resources to help reduce food waste, including meal planning tips, food storage guidance, and clearer date labelling.
Small changes can make a big difference
This year’s National Stop Food Waste Day campaign encourages the public to use the Stop Food Waste Pocket Guide, a resource offering practical tips on planning, shopping, storage, and cooking to reduce food waste.
Commenting on the findings, Machaela O’Leary, sales manager, Too Good To Go, said: “Food waste is not just bad for our wallets – it’s bad for the planet. This research shows that many Irish households are unintentionally throwing away hundreds of euros worth of food each year.
“The good news is that small changes can make a big difference. Simple actions like checking expiry labels properly, storing food correctly or using our app to rescue surplus food can significantly reduce waste and save money.
“We urge policymakers and retailers to collaborate with us in their local areas, making surplus food more accessible and driving meaningful change that benefits both consumers and the environment.”
Read more: SuperValu partners with ‘Too Good To Go’ to launch Surprise Bag offers in initial 33 stores
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