EU Food Loss and Waste Prevention Hub

Highlights from Zero Waste Week 2024:

• Over 185 partners participated or supported the initiative.
• Across 25 locations nationwide, people could enjoy zero-waste tastings, workshops, and masterclasses, organized by various municipalities and social initiatives.
• The media covered food waste reduction extensively, with features on channels like NPO Radio 1, Radio 10, Qmusic, and in outlets like AD.nl and De Telegraaf. Popular TV shows like RTL4’s Wat een Dag and Binnenstebuiten also highlighted the week, as did regional stations such as Omroep Zeeland, RTV Utrecht, and L1.
• Social media buzzed with conversations about Zero Waste Week, with influencers like Saskia Sampimon-Versneij and Jetske van den Elsen raising awareness alongside many others.
• Supermarkets showcased the campaign through screens, banners, brochures, and even home deliveries, integrating the theme into customer experiences.
• Caterers at hundreds of locations featured zero-waste menus, signage, and tips for reducing waste at home.
• Many food companies engaged customers and employees with in-store promotions and online campaigns focused on reducing waste.
• A total of 1.5 million loaves of bread were labeled with recyclable nudge stickers reminding consumers to finish the entire loaf, supported by 75 artisan bakeries with additional communication materials.
• Popular tools like the "Use it up- Tape" and the "Fridge and Freezer Stickers" were distributed nationwide to encourage food-saving actions at home.
• Students in primary and secondary schools participated in quizzes, while masterclasses were held, and HAS Green Academy launched an internal campaign on food waste at the start of the academic year.
• Several expert meetings focused on consumer behavior and food waste data in catering and retail. Minister Wiersma attended the presentation of retail figures, and statistics on meeting lunches and office receptions were also shared.