Understanding household food waste in Northern Ireland: The Household Food Management Survey

The Household Food Management Survey (previous the Food Tracker Survey) is WRAP’s flagship annual food waste study. Running since 2007, it’s the largest and longest-running survey of its kind; gathering, monitoring and comparing evidence on the attitudes, knowledge and behaviours around food waste in our homes. The results inform how WRAP, businesses and policymakers can engage with citizens to drive meaningful change and reduce household food waste.

The latest insights from Northern Ireland, collected in 2024 from adults who have a responsibility for food shopping and/or preparation in the home, reveals that there’s been a rise in self-reported food waste from May 2018. This report demonstrates why it’s happening alongside recommendations on what businesses and policymakers can do to tackle household food waste. 

What’s changing?

• Self-reported food waste of four key products (bread, milk, chicken and potatoes) remains at 24%. This is higher than the UK average of 21% but the same level as 2023.
• People in Northern Ireland are wasting more food compared to UK averages:
  • 35% are classified as higher food wasters, compared to 27% across the UK
  • 31% report to have a higher number of displaced meals (for example choosing to eat out or getting takeaway when there is already food at home), compared to 24% across the UK.
• There’s been little change around food concerns between 2023-2024. The most notable changes are an increase in those reporting a concern for the ‘healthiness’ of food in my diet (38%); the impact of processed or ultra processed foods on health (37%); and the use of pesticides (27%).

Who is wasting the most food at home?

Certain groups are driving the increase in food waste, including:

• People with lower food management skills, such as those who struggle to judge and buy the right amount.
• Households with frequent displaced meals, where planned meals go uneaten – and they often feel more comfortable wasting food.

Key insights

• Northern Ireland households report wasting more than UK households across all eleven food items measured, with the biggest differences seen in apples, bananas, bread, chicken, onions, and potatoes.
• 88% of people agree food waste is a national concern, and 34% rank it as a top five issue. However, only 71% say they are trying to reduce their own food waste.
• 11% of people feel who comfortable wasting food, and a further 16% are ambivalent.
• Competencies and behaviours around food management aren’t changing from 2022, with the key weaknesses that contribute to food waste are avoiding temptation and overbuying.  Yet, Northern Ireland citizens are more receptive to waste-reducing habits:
  • 94% identified something that would help them waste less food.
• Northern Ireland citizens are more likely than those in the UK to support:
  • Checking the fridge/freezer before shopping (NI: 52%, UK: 45%)
  • Keeping the fridge/freezer organised (NI: 47%, UK: 40%)  
  • Meal planning (NI: 50%, UK: 40%)  
  • Using a shopping list (NI: 47%, UK: 38%).
• Fewer people recall seeing food waste messages. 46% remember hearing advice on reducing food waste, but recognition of Love Food Hate Waste has sharply risen to 40% - higher than the UK average at 32%.

What needs to happen to reduce household food waste in Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland’s food waste problem is bigger than the UK average, but citizens are open to solutions. To turn awareness into action, we must ensure:

• People have support to buy the right amount – whether that’s through more flexible portions, guidance and advice or being able to buy loose fresh produce.  
• People know that food waste is an issue, and its one that they take action to prevent with through behaviour change interventions.
• Businesses and policymakers understand the psychological and contextual factors that are causing people to feel comfortable wasting food, and adopt approaches, strategies and policies to stop these attitudes and behaviours.

Read the full findings and insights on household food waste and management in our latest report.

Fieldwork for the Northern Ireland Household Food Management Survey was undertaken online by Icaro, between the 30th of October – 13th of November 2024. A total of 752 interviews were undertaken with adults in Northern Ireland who have responsibility for food shopping and / or preparation in the home.