From data to action! Data collected by Luke enables EU-wide monitoring of food waste
In Finland, from the entire food chain, 65 kg of food waste is generated per inhabitant, most of it in households. Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) has developed methods for measuring food waste and collected data on the amounts of food waste generated at different stages of the food chain. The collected and processed information enables the introduction of the most effective loss reduction measures.
Data collected by Luke enables EU-wide monitoring of food waste
Together with other EU countries, Finland has committed to the UN's goal of halving food waste at the end of the food chain by 2030. In 2019, the European Commission issued a decision to EU member states to measure and report food waste, so that member states can verify a possible reduction. Luke collects and reports the information for Finland.
"Based on the data collected and reported by Luke, it will be possible to monitor in the future how the amounts of food waste develop in the entire food chain in Finland and whether the UN's goal will be achieved," tells researcher Inkeri Riipi.
Support to food chain actors in reducing food waste
Nationally, Luke has compiled a roadmap for reducing food waste and a guide on meeting the legal requirements on monitoring food waste. These support the food chain actors in reducing food waste with concrete measures.
Currently, Luke is evaluating the effectiveness of different food waste reduction measures. This work facilitates the adoption of the best food waste reduction measures along the food chain.
Did you know?
In Finland, the monetary value of food waste generated in households is equivalent to approximately 590 million euros annually, 106 euros per inhabitant. The price of a kilo of household food waste is estimated to be around €4-5 based on autumn 2022 consumer prices in Finland.
The annual food waste of Finnish households corresponds to the carbon footprint of the annual use of 139,000 passenger cars.
