How to use the Reduce food waste and what exactly is food waste anyway? It's crazy that we throw away more than a third of all food produced worldwide, while there are also at least one billion starving people on our planet. In this post, you'll learn causes and facts of food waste in Germany and around the world, and 16 tips you can use to reduce your personal food waste. Let's go!
Here is another short Table of contentsthat you can use as a guide:
Food Waste Facts & Figures

Every year, around 1.3 billion tons₁ of food are thrown away worldwide. That's more than a third of the food produced worldwide. Food waste is a massive problem. To make this tangible, I'm now going to show you some facts & figures about food waste in Germany, Europe and around the world.
Food waste in Germany
In Germany, we actually manage to throw away 18 million tons of our food. This corresponds to around one third of the food consumption in Germany of around 54.5 million tons.₂ Here are more facts & figures on food waste in Germany:
- 1,127 t of food we lose per hour
- More than 2.6 million hectares of land are farmed to end up in the garbage can
- 800,000 t of food goes into the trash unopened and untouched
- Every German throws away the equivalent of about €300 worth of food every year₃.
- 48 million tons of greenhouse gases are emitted for nothing
- 39% (7.23 million t) of food waste is caused by the end consumer
- About 5% (0.98 million tons) of food waste is due to crop losses
- Approximately 60% (18 million tons) of discarded food occurs from producer to bulk consumer - This food is lost along the value chain
- 19 t of food is lost per minute
Food waste in Europe
Food waste in Europe deals with about 88 million tons per year.₄
- About 173 kg of food is thrown away per person
- Dutch have the largest share (512 kg) of food waste per capita
- Slovenia (72 kg) has the smallest share of food waste per capita
- 5% of food waste is due to commerce
- 12% of food waste is caused by the restaurant industry
- 30% of food waste go to agriculture & processing.
- 52% of food waste is attributable to private households
Food waste worldwide
Globally, food waste comprises about 1.3 billion tons. This corresponds to about 30 - 40 % of the food produced annually.
- Approximately 180 - 190 kg of food is wasted per capita
- Every day per capita consumed 2000 kilocalories (and harvested 4600 kilocalories)₅.
Consequences of food waste

As you can see from the facts & figures, food waste is gigantic. But which Effects and consequences does the negligent handling of the food produced actually have? We divide them into ecological and ethical consequences₆:
Ecological consequences of food waste
The fact that we throw away one third of all food produced is responsible for around 3.3 gigatons of CO2 emissions. After the U.S. and China, global food waste is therefore the third largest climate polluter. Food production requires valuable resources (e.g. arable land, Water, fertilizer, Energy, processing services and transport), which we have of course senselessly wasted with every food thrown away. However, not only production, but also utilization and removal result in resources and high costs. Agriculture is responsible for nearly 70% of all endangered species and we actually waste about a third of all food produced. This food waste simply has incredibly far-reaching consequences for our environment and must not be allowed to continue.
Ethical consequences of food waste
When we throw away food, it doesn't just have consequences for the environment. Food waste also impacts our society. We know that we throw away about a third of the food we produce, yet there are also about a billion hungry people on our planet. It is incredibly disrespectful behavior to throw away a large portion of our own food while people in other places are struggling to survive and need that very food. By buying massive amounts of food and eating much less, the price of that food also goes up. Even a more conscious purchase of each individual, can reduce food waste and also mean positive effects for the world population.
Food waste causes

Around 60% of the food wasted in Germany alone is lost in the course of the supply chain. Food waste is caused by the fact that food has to be sorted out due to immaturity, pest infestation or diseases. Here I would like to give you a small list of some possible, main Causes of food waste show
Causes of food waste in production:
- Food was harvested unripe
- Pests have infested food
- The food has diseases
- Inadequate transport facilities
- Storage capacities not sufficient
- Cooling possibilities limited (after harvest and during processing)
- Poor hygiene
Common causes of food waste in retail:
- Sorting out unsold, perishable products
- Deviation of shape, color and size
- Special offers & special prices
These are the causes of food waste in the home:
- Lack of purchase planning in the household
- Best before date is mistaken for use by date
- Lack of stock planning
- Incorrect storage
In Germany, by the way, food is thrown away because...
- the expiration date has passed or the goods are spoiled (84 %)
- too much food was purchased (25%)
- because the package was too big (19%)
- the product does not taste / does not deliver what it promises (16%)
The causes of food waste are manifold and, in sum, a huge problem. But what can each and every one of us do about it? To answer this question, I have written down my best tips against food waste.
16 tips against food waste
Hier gibt es jetzt die volle Breitseite an guten Tipps gegen Lebensmittelverschwendung. Mit diesen 16 Maßnahmen kannst du deine persönliche Lebensmittelverschwendung reduzieren:
1. Es heißt MINDESTENS haltbar bis...
Da wir ja alle Lebensmittel immer und jederzeit bekommen können, neigen wir dazu, sie einen Tag nach Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum lieber wegzuwerfen. Doch Lebensmittel kann man in der Regel noch viel länger genießen, denn das Datum gibt lediglich einen Hinweis dafür, ab welchem Zeitpunkt das Lebensmittel möglicherweise nicht mehr genießbar ist. Um die Lebensmittelverschwendung reduzieren zu können, solltest du das Lebensmittel einfach genau betrachten und die Haltbarkeit selbst einzuschätzen.
2. Reste für Suppen & Smoothies
Schmeißt du zufällig braune Bananen oder matschige Kiwis und Tomaten weg? Es gibt keinen Grund dafür. Weißt du wie du diese Lebensmittelverschwendung reduzieren kannst? Indem du diese Essensreste z.B. für Suppen oder Smoothies nutzt. Diese Lebensmittel sehen vielleicht nicht mehr so schön aus, dennoch sind sie ja genießbar. In einer Tomatensuppe oder einem selbst gemachten Smoothie aus Bananen und Kiwis weiß doch niemand, wie die Früchte zuvor aussahen. Und es schmeckt wie immer. Lebensmittelverschwendung reduzieren? Check!
3. Essen aus dem Restaurant mitnehmen
Wenn du dein Essen im Restaurant nicht ganz schaffst, ist das kein Grund, diese Lebensmittel wegzuwerfen. Um diese Art der Lebensmittelverschwendung reduzieren zu können, lässt du dein restliches Essen aus dem Restaurant einfach einpacken. In der Regel bekommst du eine Styropor-Verpackung. Wenn du das plastikfrei schaffen willst, nimmst du dir einfach eine Edelstahldose mit zum Essen. Wer sich selbst gut kennt, kann das also wunderbar vorbereiten. ;)
4. Zu viel gekauft? Lade Freunde ein!
Wenn du Mal wieder in zu großen Mengen (z.B. Kartoffeln, Champignons, Karotten oder Spinat) eingekauft hast, ist das natürlich kein Grund dafür, die überschüssigen Lebensmittel wegwerfen zu müssen. Lade stattdessen einfach deine Freunde zum gemeinsamen Kochen und Essen ein, um die Lebensmittelverschwendung zu reduzieren. Genauso kannst du auch einfach eine plastikfreie Party schmeißen oder auch beim Nachbarn nachfragen, ob er die Lebensmittel haben möchte. Das schweißt zusammen und ist einer von vielen wichtigen Tipps gegen Lebensmittelverschwendung.
5. Krumme Lebensmittel wegwerfen ist Quatsch!
Schmecken krumme Karotten oder Kartoffeln schlechter? Natürlich nicht. Dennoch ist der durchschnittliche Verbraucher schönes Obst- und Gemüse gewohnt und macht einen Bogen um krumme, hässliche Lebensmittel. Diese werden deshalb leider im Regelfall weggeworfen. Um diese Lebensmittelverschwendung reduzieren zu können, sollten wir gerade diese krummen Lebensmittel kaufen. Ich bin ein echter Fan von Etepetete, bei denen man aussortierte Lebensmittel zu einem guten Preis bekommen kann. Ein absoluter Gewinn im Kampf gegen die Lebensmittelverschwendung.
6. Apps gegen Lebensmittelverschwendung nutzen
Beim Bäcker oder in Restaurants ist das Lebensmittel wegwerfen völlig normal. Cool, dass es Apps gibt, die dir dabei helfen, diese unnötige Lebensmittelverschwendung reduzieren zu können. Eine davon ist Too Good To Go. In dieser App werden überschüssige Lebensmittel und überschüssiges Essen zum Verkauf für einen günstigeren Preis angeboten. Diese App bringt Verbraucher und Anbieter dazu, die Lebensmittelverschwendung massiv zu reduzieren und weniger Lebensmittel wegzuwerfen.
App im Android PlayStore herunterladen
7. Regionale und saisonale Lebensmittel kaufen
In diesem Fall passiert die Lebensmittelverschwendung natürlich nicht direkt in deiner Wohnung, allerdings kannst du dennoch die generelle Lebensmittelverschwendung reduzieren. Bevorzuge regionale und saisonale Lebensmittel, da diese nicht beim oft langen Transport aus dem Ausland beschädigt und deshalb aussortiert werden können. Außerdem kannst du beim Einkauf von regionalen Erzeugnissen auch eine längere Haltbarkeit erwarten und die Anbieter wissen genau, was bisher mit den Lebensmitteln passiert ist. Der regionale und saisonale Einkauf von Lebensmitteln ist eine kleine Stellschraube in deinem Kopf, aber einer von vielen wichtigen Tipps gegen Lebensmittelverschwendung.
8. Lebensmittel richtig lagern
Lebensmittel unterscheiden sich und müssen dementsprechend auch unterschiedlich gelagert werden, damit sie möglichst lange haltbar sind. Manchen Lebensmittel halten sich im Kühlschrank länger, andere müssen möglichst im Hellen gelagert werden. Hier sind beispielsweise ein paar Tipps, um deine Lebensmittel grundsätzlich länger haltbar zu machen:
- Such natural beeswax cloth use instead of cling film
- Potato and fruit crates (line with paper and store one on top of the other; also suitable for fruit)
- Dry vegetables (e.g. chopped mushrooms, zucchini and tomatoes)
- ... there are thousands more cool options!
9. pre-plan shopping against food waste
What food do you still have in stock at home? What do you want to cook today? Just answer a few questions like these and be sure which foods you really need. Only then you go off, to ideally plastic-free shopping. This will make your wallet happy and you can reduce your personal food waste.
10. eat up provides good weather!
Another of many good tips against food waste is, as grandma used to say, "Eat up and you'll have nice weather!" - In addition to nice weather, this is how you manage to reduce your food waste. You should only cook as much as you can and want to eat. Learn to judge your hunger better. Of course, you often have a little food left over after cooking. But why should you throw that food away? Keep it in the fridge instead. Many dishes can also be easily freeze plastic free.
11. preserving & freezing food
If you've bought too much groceries or can't make it all at dinner, you can simply boil down or freeze the rest of the food. If the strawberries are getting too soft, why not make some delicious strawberry jam and freeze it for later? There are so many ways to reduce your food waste.
12. buy food consciously (psychology)
This tip against food waste is primarily about your behavior when shopping. In the supermarket, for example, the art of advertising psychology ensures that you usually put more in the shopping cart than you want. By shopping consciously, however, you can reduce your food waste. I can give you the following tips against food waste when shopping in the supermarket:
- Trade shopping cart for shopping basket (or burlap bag): There is much more space in the shopping cart and this tells your subconscious that something is missing. This is simple psychology and if you know it, you can reduce your personal food waste.
- Special offers especially reconsider: Bulk discounts (XXL packages, 3 for 2, etc.) may seem cheaper at first. But if you buy too much as a result, you may also throw away some food. Again, think and shop consciously. This is one of the most important tips against food waste.
- Buying "almost expired" food: If you know you're going to cook or eat them today, you can simply buy foods that expire promptly and are often marked down. So you also reduce the food waste of the supermarket. Because with high certainty the food would have ended up in the trash.
- Buy only what is on your shopping list: The classic, well-considered shopping list is, in my opinion, the safest way to make sure you don't buy too much. Buy exactly only what you wanted to buy.
13. say NO to throwing away food and YES to increasing food!
Why would you throw away seemingly superfluous foods when you can simply multiply them. Ginger is one such example: If you simply put ginger on the windowsill, the plant will multiply by itself. Or if the potatoes are already sprouting, you can just plant them and get new potatoes. We have become so comfortable that planting already seems so far away. Yet it's natural, cheap, and helps you reduce your food waste. Here is another article about Healthy plants to grow yourself.
14. completely recycle food
Of course, this is not always possible, but it is a direct measure to reduce your personal food waste. Example broccoli: Many cook only the florets of this food, but the stalk tastes just as good! You can also eat the apple completely. If you want to reduce your food waste, you should simply eat everything that is edible in a food.
15. inspire others against food waste
You know the problem of food waste very well, at the latest after this article. Use your knowledge and your personal attitude to inspire others. Online and offline. On social media like Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram, you can reach a lot of people in one fell swoop. Talk to your friends at home about food waste, too. Simply advocate for less food to be thrown away. You'll make a difference.
16. foodsharing against food waste
At Foodsharing you share food with each other instead of throwing it away. On Foodsharing.de everyone can offer surplus food and also order it. I personally love the concept of foodsharing, as it allows everyone to reduce food waste and save a lot of money. And the idea is growing and growing. The more that join in, the better we can reduce food waste. Here is a short video that explains the principle of foodsharing in detail.
Reducing food waste is incredibly easy!
The fact that we throw away more than a third of our food, although it is urgently needed elsewhere, is inconceivable. But just such facts and figures, the causes and also the consequences for the environment and society are known. I hope that my tips against food waste will help you personally to throw away significantly less food. I am looking forward to your comments with your questions, your own experiences and of course your tips on food waste.
Best regards,

PS.: In the article Plasticfree lifestyle you can additionally learn how to make less plastic waste as well!
References:
₁ https://www.muttererde.at/fakten
₂ WWF study "The big throwaway" http://www.wwf.de/fileadmin/fm-wwf/Publikationen-PDF/WWF_Studie_Das_grosse_Wegschmeissen.pdf, June 2015.
₃ The figures are based on information from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Save Food study by film manufacturer Cofresco and the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV).
₄ http://www.europarl.europa.eu/resources/library/images/20170512PHT74427/20170512PHT74427-cl.jpg)
₅ https://www.proplanta.de/Agrar-Lexikon/Lebensmittelverschwendung+-+figures+udn+facts_ll1331734059.html
₆ https://www.zugutfuerdietonne.de/warum-werfen-wir-lebensmittel-weg/welche-folgen-hat-das
Hello Christoph,
Thank you for this article,
I am currently writing a report on the topic of food waste for my university thesis. Therefore the article is very helpful for me...
Is it possible to prove the given numbers in any way? unfortunately, I have not found them anywhere calculated in such detail....
(it is about the following section):
1,127 t of food we lose per hour
——————-
19 t of food is lost per minute
I look forward to your feedback !
Thank you very much,
Kind regards ,
Samanta
Hi Samanta, thanks for your feedback!
Below are all sources deposited. There are also some facts that have not been footnoted. Just look through them, otherwise search at Statista, there are also many facts about food waste.
Good luck 🙂
Christoph
Hi Christoph,
It is an interesting but also miserable topic. Have 38 years ago made an apprenticeship as a food vendor, and even then we had to dispose of food. At that time, however, we still had the pig bucket that was picked up twice a week, is no longer allowed today. The problem was mainly the customers who always had to test the goods for ripeness with their fingers. Sometimes I would have loved to throw these people out of the store on edge. Unfortunately, it is not much different today than it was back then. As for the producers, a large amount of the field directly disposed of to keep prices high, I find the biggest mess.
Keep up the energy for your project and greetings from Switzerland Peter
Hello Peter, thank you for your comment. What do you mean by "disposed of directly from the field" and why?
Stay clean,
Christoph
Hello Christoph,
First of all super contribution, you have done a good job.
Super content !!!!
I find the topic of food waste is quite an interesting topic that you should definitely follow with seriousness. Recently I read a post about reducing food waste with a vacuum cleaner. Here were super points listed as this device supports you in saving food and you should actively go against it. I link times the page, because it is a very interresanter article that you can read through with pleasure times.
Mfg
Thorsten
Hi Thorsten! Thank you for your feedback, very exciting! 🙂
Many greetings,
Christoph