Too Good To Go is “urgently” calling on the UK government to reconsider its decision not to implement mandatory food waste reporting for businesses.
In a wide-ranging update to its 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy, Defra announced it will not mandate waste measurement and reporting for large food businesses until 2026, despite 80% of respondents to a 2022 consultation being in favour of a mandate.
Too Good To Go has expressed concerns and disappointment following the recent decision by Defra to opt against introducing mandatory food waste reporting in the UK, which it says is a significant blow to the UK’s efforts to reduce food waste.
Jamie Crummie, Co-founder of Too Good To Go, commented: “It is with a heavy heart that we witness Defra’s decision to opt against introducing mandatory food waste reporting. Neglecting food waste reduction has far-reaching global consequences, with food waste contributing 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions, surpassing even the aviation industry’s impact.
Neglecting food waste reduction has far-reaching global consequences.
“As we continue to witness the devastating effects of climate change across Europe and America this summer, Defra’s decision feels particularly disheartening and regressive, especially when compared to the European Commission’s recent legislative proposal to introduce legally binding food waste reduction targets.”
The Too Good To Go app allows people to buy surplus food and drink items from restaurants, grocery stores, pubs, cafes and producers to stop them from going to waste.
The surplus food app says Defra’s consultation response reflects a “worrying lack of urgency” and also poses a “dangerous threat” to the UK’s collective ability to achieve the 2030 environmental and 2050 net zero goals set out by the government.
Too Good To Go says the decision undermines the UK’s pledge to the Sustainable Development Goals, including a commitment to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030.
Crummie continued that implementing mandatory food waste reporting provides data insights that enable businesses to adopt effective proactive measures to tackle food waste. He also said the data would foster collaboration across the entire value chain.