New research: time for action as many Brits think food waste is inevitable and beyond their control

Love Food Hate Waste research shows that 64% of people in the UK agree that some food waste at home is inevitable and that there’s little they can do to avoid it.

When asked why, the key reasons for most relate to food spoilage and expiration dates, the complexity and unpredictability of daily life, and issues with cooking and portion control. The survey also showed that 80% of people believe they waste less food than the national average.

Love Food Hate Waste's Food Waste Action Week is setting the nation a five-day challenge to enjoy the unexpected benefits that making the most of the food you buy can bring.

This year, the campaign will coincide with the roll out of Simpler Recycling in England. From 31st March, approximately four in five homes in England will be able to have food waste collected on a weekly basis and recycled into organic material, to help produce electricity and biomethane gas.

By the end of Food Waste Action Week, an average household of four will have already thrown away £200 worth of food they could have eaten. Every year, 4.4 million tonnes of edible food is thrown away from UK homes, generating 16 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

On average, a person in the UK wastes food equivalent to three meals per week. What we waste as a nation per year would fill Wembley Stadiums eight times over and the Royal Albert Hall 88 times.

Separate food waste collections will make it more obvious what we’re throwing away and combined with Love Food Hate Waste and Food Waste Action Week campaigning, it’s hoped this will help many more people cut their food waste and save money.

Catherine David, CEO at WRAP, says: "The average household of four spends a whopping £1000 each year on good food that goes in the bin and could have been eaten. Of course, no one is choosing to waste food, which is why this Food Waste Action Week we are highlighting all the ways to ‘Make your food go further’ by giving people all the tips and tricks they need to fight food waste.  And with councils now rolling out food waste recycling to people’s homes, any inedible food that does go in the bin can now be recycled. Love Food, Hate Waste!”

Circular Economy Minister Creagh says: “Food Waste Action Week is a powerful reminder that tackling food waste is one of the simplest and most effective ways to cut costs for families and reduce our impact on the planet. By making small changes like planning meals and using up leftovers, households can save hundreds of pounds while also helping to lower emissions.”

“Our new Simpler Recycling reforms will make it easier for households to recycle their food waste - with all local authorities required to offer food waste collections from 31st March. I urge everyone to take part in Food Waste Action Week and play their part in building a more sustainable, resilient food system.”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Green retail will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 15th October.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.