The Consumer Goods Forum’s Food Waste Coalition of Action has reported a 22% reduction in average company-level food waste intensity – i.e. the share of total food waste relative to total food handled – since 2021.
The coalition made its announcement in a new report, entitled Towards the 2030 Food Waste Commitment: Tracking Progress and Action Against the Baseline, which outlines the progress made by coalition members towards halving food loss and waste by 2030 in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3.
According to The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), the report indicates improvements in reporting and transparency, with companies strengthening data quality, expanding their reporting scope and updating historical submissions.
In addition, data submitted by 14 coalition members was validated by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).
‘Clear opportunity’
“Reducing food waste is one of the clearest opportunities for the industry to improve efficiencies while minimising their environmental impact,” commented Sharon Bligh, director of Health & Sustainability, The Consumer Goods Forum.
“This analysis provides promising signs of progress – but we know the scale of this complex global issue means that every business should continue to step up to the plate. The overall volume of food waste is still high, and the fact that progress varies across sectors and geographies illustrates the need for targeted solutions.”
Increase in food waste
Improvements to the scope of reporting has actually led to an increase in reported food waste among coalition members – with total reported food waste increasing by 0.78 million tonnes compared to 2023. As the CGF noted, this is due to businesses now measuring and reporting their operations more comprehensively, a process that ultimately uncovers more data.
The report also outlines areas in which businesses can ‘do more’, including overcoming a lack of local infrastructure and using more circular methods for food waste, along with the need to expand more circular approaches such as composting and anaerobic digestion after prioritising redistribution and animal feed.
Value of Food Framework
The coalition added that it is also developing a ‘Value of Food Framework’ aimed at quantifying the environmental, social and economic benefits of reducing food waste across supply chains.
“Consistent measurement and transparent reporting are critical to understand where food waste happens and to prioritise action,” commented Annabelle Souchon, global circular economy lead, Bel Group, and Food Waste Coalition co-chair. “What this report shows is that progress starts with individual company efforts, strengthened by data sharing and more pragmatic, aligned reporting approaches.”
The Consumer Goods Forum’s Food Waste Coalition was launched in 2020, and currently encompasses 18 global retailers and manufacturers committed to reducing food loss and waste. Read more here.
