Too Good To Go urges reconsideration of voluntary food waste reporting.
- 80% of consultation respondents support mandatory reporting.
- Government cites costs as a reason against mandatory disclosures.
- Delay threatens UK’s environmental and net-zero goals.
- Mandatory reporting seen as crucial for collaboration and efficiency.
The call for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to revisit its stance on voluntary food waste reporting is gaining momentum. Too Good To Go, a prominent advocate against food waste, is leading the charge, highlighting the potential consequences of the decision to delay mandatory disclosures until the end of 2026.
A significant majority, 80%, of consultation respondents expressed their support for making food waste reporting compulsory. Despite this, the government’s current position cites economic burdens on large businesses as the primary reason for maintaining voluntary reporting. This approach has drawn criticism from those who believe it could hinder the UK’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Without compulsory food waste disclosures, there is an expressed concern about the UK’s ability to meet its ambitious 2030 environmental goals and its 2050 net-zero target. The delay in implementation is perceived as a threat to these national targets and to international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals.
Jamie Crummie, co-founder of Too Good To Go, voiced strong opposition to Defra’s decision, describing it as “disheartening and regressive.” He emphasized the significant impact of food waste, noting that it contributes to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, outperforming even the aviation sector. Crummie argues that introducing mandatory reporting would be a “pivotal and necessary step” in supporting both individuals and businesses in their efforts to curb food waste.
Furthermore, Crummie pointed out the broader benefits of mandatory food waste disclosures. He asserted that such measures would promote collaboration across the entire food supply chain, improving efficiency by saving time and resources, and encouraging a united front in tackling food waste.
The push for mandatory food waste reporting is a critical step towards achieving sustainability and environmental targets.
