Finland faces 590 million euro annual food waste loss

In Finland, food waste in households is estimated to be worth approximately 590 million euros annually. This equates to a loss of roughly 1.6 million euros per day, or over 1,100 euros every minute. Research conducted by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) indicates that households are responsible for nearly half of the total food waste in the country, discarding about 150 million kilograms of food per year, which averages to 27 kilograms per person.

To address this issue, Lounais-Suomen Jätehuolto (LSJH) is participating in National Waste Reduction Week from September 21 to 27. Environmental educators will hold a tour in Turku and Salo to encourage citizens to reconsider their consumption habits and provide practical advice on reducing waste.

Experts from Marttaliitto and Maa- ja kotitalousnaisten Keskus ry suggest using a 'first in, first out' approach to manage refrigerator contents. They recommend using leftover or wilting vegetables in recipes like pasta sauces or omelets rather than purchasing new ingredients, emphasizing creativity in the kitchen to minimize household loss.