The International Day of Zero Waste was marked on Monday with renewed global calls to tackle rising food waste, as the United Nations Environment Programme and UN-Habitat warned that the world generates up to 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste annually.
This year’s observance, jointly facilitated by the two UN agencies, focused on food waste, highlighting its far-reaching implications for climate change, food security, and economic stability.
According to the UN, more than one billion tonnes of food, representing about 19 per cent of all food available to consumers, is wasted yearly, even as hundreds of millions of people face hunger globally.
The global body also revealed that an additional 13 per cent of food is lost between harvest and retail, underscoring inefficiencies across the food value chain.
In his message to mark the day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said urgent action was required across all levels of society to reverse the trend.
“This year’s International Day of Zero Waste spotlights the mounting food waste crisis and calls on each of us to take action.
“Consumers can make a big impact with small changes in their shopping and cooking habits, while governments and businesses must scale up systemic solutions,” he said.
Executive Director of UNEP, Inger Andersen, described food waste as both an environmental and economic burden, noting that it costs the global economy about $1tn annually.
“In a time of accelerating climate change and rising food prices, we cannot afford to waste precious resources to grow food that is not eaten,” Andersen said.
She added that reducing food waste would significantly cut methane emissions, improve food security, and support the transition to a circular economy.
UN data showed that food loss and waste account for between eight and 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, with food waste alone responsible for up to 14 per cent of methane emissions — a gas far more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term.
In Nigeria, food waste remains a critical but underreported issue, particularly across households, open markets, and post-harvest handling systems.
Experts say poor storage facilities, weak cold chain infrastructure, and inefficient transportation contribute significantly to food losses, especially in rural farming communities.
The situation is further worsened by rising inflation and food insecurity, with many households struggling to access affordable and nutritious meals.
Agriculture analysts note that addressing food waste could help Nigeria improve food availability without necessarily increasing production, thereby easing pressure on farmers and natural resources.
They also stress the need for policy integration, urging the Federal Government to incorporate food waste reduction strategies into its climate action plans and agricultural policies.
Globally, households account for the largest share of food waste at 60 per cent, followed by food service providers at 28 per cent and retail outlets at 12 per cent.
The UN estimates that households alone waste over one billion meals daily, highlighting the need for behavioural change at the consumer level.
First Lady of Türkiye, Emine Erdoğan, in her remarks, emphasised the moral dimension of food waste.
“In every wasted bite lies the right of someone whose life depends on it,” she said, urging individuals to adopt more responsible consumption habits.
As part of efforts to address the crisis, UNEP and partners have launched several initiatives, including the “Recipe of Change,” a programme aimed at mobilising tourism and hospitality businesses to measure and reduce food waste.
Major global companies, including hotel chains and tourism operators, have joined the initiative, which targets improved efficiency in food management systems.
In addition, 20 cities worldwide were recognised under the “Cities Towards Zero Waste” initiative for their innovative approaches to waste reduction and circular economy practices.
Countries such as Japan and the United Kingdom have also recorded significant progress, reducing food waste by 53 per cent and 22 per cent respectively through strong policy frameworks and public-private collaboration.
The UN warned that despite progress in some countries, many nations, including several G20 economies, still lack reliable data to track food waste reduction, posing a major challenge to achieving global targets.
Through initiatives launched at global climate forums, the international community aims to halve food waste by 2030 and cut methane emissions linked to waste by up to seven per cent.
For Nigeria and other developing countries, experts say the path forward lies in strengthening data systems, investing in storage and logistics infrastructure, and promoting public awareness on responsible consumption.
They also called for stronger collaboration between the government, private sector players, and civil society to drive sustainable food systems.
As the world marks International Day of Zero Waste, stakeholders agree that tackling food waste is not only an environmental necessity but also a critical step towards achieving food security and sustainable development.
By: Dare Akogun
