Project

To introduce you to our project, here is a visual overview. Keep scrolling to find out more!

Main Question

What can the Municipality of Groningen do to reduce food waste among its citizens?

Why this topic?

A substantial portion of our food finds its way into the waste bin. On average, individuals contribute approximately 33 kg of food waste each, highlighting the urgent need to reevaluate our approach to food disposal. Food waste encompasses any food or inedible components removed from the food supply chain with the intention of recovery or disposal. This food waste not only poses a moral imperative to address the inefficiencies in our food system, it also causes serious environmental concerns. The resources invested in the production of wasted food (e.g. water, energy and land) contribute to unnecessary environmental degradation and the decomposition of food waste generates greenhouse gasses, especially methane. This is a complex issue that is rooted in various stages of the food supply chain, from production and distribution to consumption and disposal. 

Background

The municipality of Groningen has the goal to be waste-free by 2030. An important part of this is reducing residual household waste, including food waste. This project looks at the production of food waste at the consumer/household level, from the moment the citizens have bought its food. More than half of the food in Europe is wasted at this stage, and a substantial portion of this waste includes food that was edible or had the potential to be eaten. Consumer food waste is often driven by factors such as over-purchasing, lack of planning, improper storage, and expiration dates.

Consumer Food Waste Model: Motivation, Opportunity and Ability (MOA)

Do you want to read further? Read our full report!

What are our results?

We evaluated about a 70 different worldwide initiatives aimed at reducing food waste. Our goal was to filter out initiatives that are evidence-based, easy to engage in for citizens and suitable for a city like Groningen. Have a look at the decision tree with the initiatives that we picked! It is important to note that a combined approach of initiatives seems to be the most effective in reducing food waste.