---
title: "Household Food and Drink Waste in the UK 2021-22"
description: This report provides estimates of the quantity and types of food and drink waste generated by UK households in 2021/22. The report also looks at the reasons for discarding, the financial cost, and the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to…
url: "https://staffordshirecop.com/docs/household-food-and-drink-waste-in-the-uk-2021-22/"
updated: "2024-02-17"
category: Social Foundations / Food
---

# Household Food and Drink Waste in the UK 2021-22

This report provides estimates of the quantity and types of food and drink waste generated by UK households in 2021/22. The report also looks at the reasons for discarding, the financial cost, and the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to wasted food. 

#### Why are these findings important?

- Food waste is a global environmental issue. In the UK, households generate the most food waste, which not only has a big environmental impact but it also costs us a lot of money. 
- These findings help us understand where to target action helping **all stakeholders to act now** on food waste – both in the supply chain, and household as this is where most impact can be felt. Failure to act will mean we don't meet the 2030 food waste target.
- It is imperative, at a time of high food insecurity – both internationally and in the UK – that action is taken from field to fork. The environmental and financial costs of food waste are too high not to.

**Read the key findings below and navigate the data with our data visualisation tool. **

#### Navigate the **data.**

#### How much **household food waste **is generated? 

- In 2021/22, **6.4 million tonnes of food (and drink) waste** was generated from UK households. This equates to **95 kg per person** per year or **247 kg per household of 4** people. 

#### What are the **environmental impacts** of household food waste? 

- The greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) associated with wasted food and drink (i.e., edible parts) in the UK accounted for approximately 18 million tonnes of CO~2 equivalent in 2021/22.

*This figure includes contributions from the relevant elements of the food and drink system: land-use change, agriculture, manufacture, packaging, distribution, retail, transport to the home, storage and preparation in the home, and waste treatment and disposal.*

#### How much does **throwing away this food cost us?** 

- The **cost to householders** of purchasing food that was subsequently wasted in 2021/22 was **£17 billion**.   
- This figure equates to **£250 per person** each year or **£1000 for a household of four.**

#### What types of food **are most wasted and why?** 

- When assessed by weight: fresh vegetables and salads is the most wasted category, followed by meals (homemade and pre-prepared), bakery, and dairy & eggs. 
- When assessed by the cost of purchasing food that is then wasted or greenhouse gas emissions associated with wasted food: meals and meat & fish come out on top.  
- Food not used in time - it either smelled or looked off, or was past the date on the label accounted for 40% of the waste. 
- 25% was associated with too much being prepared / served and 22% was associated with people not wanting to eat that element of the food or perceiving it as inedible.