Would You Buy Three Bags of Food Just to Throw One Away?

Probably not. And yet, that’s exactly what we do every day, without even realizing it. A third of all food produced globally ends up wasted. In Romania alone, around 2,5 million tons of food are thrown away each year. That means a huge part of farmers’ labor, natural resources, and consumed energy ends up in the trash.

Where does all this food go to waste? Sometimes it’s lost in the supply chain, like when vegetables spoil in transit due to lack of refrigeration. Other times, it makes it to supermarkets but gets tossed because it doesn’t look “perfect.” And of course, a significant part is lost at home: we buy too much, forget what’s in the fridge, or cook overly large portions.

In fact, over 60% of food waste in Romania comes from households.

Why should we care? Because while we throw away perfectly good food, some people have nothing to eat. Because every wasted item means lost money and a negative impact on the environment. Food waste is responsible for nearly 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions!

What can we do, in practice?

• Make a shopping list before you go to the store.

• Store food properly so it doesn’t spoil before you use it.

• Freeze what you won’t have time to cook in the next few days.

• Use leftovers, get creative or use a dish that’s already great.

• Donate. Still-good food that’s within its expiry date can be redirected to people who truly need it.

Every small action matters. When we choose to waste less, we’re not only saving money and resources, we’re setting an example of responsibility and care for others. Food has value - not just nutritional, but also social. And the way we treat it says a lot about the kind of world we want to live in.