Styrian households throw away 88,000 tonnes of food each year

Households in Styria generate 88,000 tonnes of food waste a year, or about 70 kilograms per person, ORF reports. The figures were highlighted on the Day Against Food Waste, alongside measures to reduce waste.

Across Austria, around 140 truckloads of edible food are thrown away each day. Half of it ends up in household rubbish. Each Styrian household discards food worth an estimated 300 to 400 euros annually.

The office of provincial councillor Simone Schmiedtbauer says better shopping plans, correct food storage and using leftovers could help reduce waste.

Styria’s food strategy includes initiatives such as a summit for large-scale kitchens. The effort halved food waste at Graz University Hospital. Another summit is planned this year, along with a pilot project involving agricultural schools.

The “Nix übrig für die Verschwendung” initiative runs until October 4. It includes information campaigns with large-scale kitchen partners in the hotel and restaurant sectors, as well as events, brochures and social media materials for staff and guests.