Environment Minister Nicola Grigg announced NZD 1.7 million in funding for three projects to reduce food waste across the country.
She said reducing food waste is one of the most practical ways to cut methane emissions and support wider emissions-reduction objectives.
Funding from the National Food Waste Reduction Programme will support three initiatives across the food supply chain over the next three years, reducing waste from households, food production, hospitality and other businesses.
“Of the 30 million tonnes of food that enters New Zealand’s supply chain each year, an estimated 1.2 million tonnes is lost or wasted, and a third of that waste occurs in our homes,” said Grigg.
“The Government is backing projects to address this significant and costly waste.”
The projects receiving funding are:
- WasteMINZ will receive NZD 800,000 over two years to extend its household food waste reduction work, building on the successful Love Food Hate Waste campaign through national multimedia campaigns and partnerships with councils.
- The NZ Food Waste Champions 12.3 Trust will receive NZD 750,000 over three years to continue a voluntary national agreement that supports food producers and other businesses in measuring, managing, and reducing food waste across the supply chain.
- The Restaurant Association of New Zealand will receive NZD 50,000 to expand the Kai Keepers programme for one year, helping hospitality businesses reduce food waste and divert organic waste from landfill.
These projects align with the Government’s priorities to reduce the volume of organic waste reaching our landfills. They have shown that they actively support businesses and households to measure and manage food waste, set targets, and put waste-reduction plans in place.
“This investment will help the initiatives expand their impact and strengthen food waste reduction practices across New Zealand.”
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