Malta throws away 22% of its food says NSO, as legal framework on food wastage announced

Food wastage reduction announced as a target of Malta's presidency of the EU as NSO data shows that almost a quarter of food purchased is thrown away 

NSO data reveals that the Maltese throw away nearly a quarter of the food they buy
NSO data reveals that the Maltese throw away nearly a quarter of the food they buy

A legal framework to minimise food wastage has been announced as one of the targets of Malta's EU presidency, following the publication of statistics which show that the Maltese throw away nearly a quarter of the food they purchase.

In an address to the Committee of the Regions, the EU's Assembly of Regional and Local Representatives in Brussels, Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change Jose Herrera highlighted that this was a task for citizens and not just governments

Herrera said that from a 2014 study carried out by the European Commission, it was calculated that the directives and amendments over waste management that is currently being discussed under the Maltese presidency of the EU could create “over 180,000 by 2030, if resources such as waste is not only used and recycled but also reduced.”

In a statement released this afternoon, the government said that according to its calculations, some 443 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions can be cut “if everyone does his bit at the European level.”

“This should not only be a government effort but also one by citizens who do their part in waste reduction,” Herrera said in a speech on the subject.

EU member states are being asked to cut food waste by 30% by the year 2025, rising to 50% by 2050. Every person is estimated to generate some 180kg of the food waste annually.

One of the measures already introduced in Malta to minimise food waste was the separate collection of organic waste, which is being done throughout Gozo and in several towns in Malta, the Minister said.

Results from a recent NSO study show that 22% or nearly a quarter of food bought in Malta ends up wasted and thrown away. The same study shows that food waste amounts to over 55% of Malta's domestic refuse.

“This food wastage needs to be addressed, not only through a publicity campaign but also through a legal framework” ”, Minister Herrera said, adding that this should compliment the Government's waste management plan, which aims at achieving “zero waste” levels by 2050.