Food loss and waste is a global critical challenge that comes with an expensive cost both economically and environmentally. Food waste contributes to 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbates food insecurity, and results in the throwing away of more than US$1 trillion worth of food every year.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is taking a significant step to tackle the global issue of food waste with the Recipe of Change campaign. Implemented by UNEP's Regional office of West Asia, supported by the GO4SDGs initiative, it aims to raise awareness, inspire action, and ultimately reduce food waste across the entire food system.
Since its inception, the Recipe of Change campaign has successfully engaged diverse audiences. Phase one focused on households, promoting better food planning, storage, and disposal practices. Following its success, phase two, launched in September 2022, targeted the hospitality, restaurant, and catering (Ho.Re.Ca) sector, as well as university and school canteens. In 2023, the campaign introduced its first Sustainable Ramadan initiative, achieving a remarkable 61% reduction in food waste across three Hilton hotels in Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh. The impact continued in 2024, with a further 21% reduction across 32 Hilton hotels in seven countries.
The United Nations General Assembly designated 29 September as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW). The main objective is to increase awareness about food loss and waste, explore potential solutions, and encourage global collaboration to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3 that aims to cut per capita food waste at the retail and consumer levels in half by 2030
This year, UNEP is scaling up the Recipe of Change campaign to a global level, marking the 5th International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste highlighting the urgent need for climate finance and investment to drive systemic change across the food system.
How You Can Get Involved:
- Get informed and Spread Awareness: Share your food-saving tips and recipes using #FLWDay #RecipeofChange #EveryPlateCounts. Participate in the #FLWDay challenge with Chef Leyla Fathallah by creating a "saved meal" and sharing it on social media.
Access the IDAFLW GET INVOLVED Guide and the Recipe of Change Communication Kit to find practical resources and materials.
- Take Action:
- Individuals: Reduce household food waste by planning meals, storing food properly, and using leftovers creatively. Support Participating Businesses: such as hotels, restaurants, and caterers who are promoting the Recipe of Change campaign.
- HoReCa Sector (Hotels, Restaurants, Catering): Implement practices to minimize food waste at every stage, from procurement to plate.
- Schools & Universities: Raise awareness on sustainable lifestyles such as participating in the "My Sustainable Living Challenge", organize Recipe of Change competitions, trivia nights, and cooking classes to educate students about food waste reduction.
- Media: Promote Recipe of Change through media platforms, interviews with chefs, and featuring sustainable recipes.
To get involved or learn more about the Recipe of Change campaign, please contact Sarah Asmar at [email protected].