Too Good To Go is advocating for food waste transparency, urging Defra to rethink its non-mandatory disclosure stance.
- The organisation is responding to Defra’s decision to delay mandatory food waste disclosures until the end of 2026.
- Despite significant backing during consultations, food waste reporting remains voluntary due to cost concerns.
- Too Good To Go warns that this decision jeopardises the UK’s environmental and net-zero targets.
- The group emphasises food waste’s significant role in global greenhouse gas emissions.
Too Good To Go, a prominent advocate for reducing food waste, is pressing the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to reconsider its decision to delay mandatory food waste disclosures until the end of 2026. This decision follows consultations where 80% of respondents supported compulsory reporting, highlighting strong public and business backing for the initiative.
The government’s rationale for opting against mandatory disclosures is primarily due to the financial implications for large businesses. However, Too Good To Go argues that foregoing these disclosures until 2026 poses a ‘dangerous threat’ to the United Kingdom’s climate commitments, particularly the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the 2050 net-zero objectives.
Jamie Crummie, co-founder of Too Good To Go, stressed the global repercussions of neglecting food waste reduction, noting that it contributes to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions, a significant figure exceeding even the aviation industry. Crummie describes Defra’s decision as ‘disheartening and regressive,’ advocating that mandatory reporting is essential for supporting businesses in their waste reduction efforts.
Crummie further explains that comprehensive data from mandatory reports could enhance collaboration across the entire supply chain. This collaboration is seen as crucial for saving time and resources and fostering a unified approach to tackling food waste effectively and efficiently.
In summary, Too Good To Go’s call for mandatory food waste disclosures highlights crucial concerns that could impact the UK’s environmental goals.
