Understanding household food waste in the UK: 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, collected in 2024 from UK 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. 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 is increasing, from 20.2% in November 2023 up to 21% in June 2024.  
• 10% of UK citizens agree they are comfortable wasting food, and a further 17% are ambivalent.
• Based on our analysis the main factors driving household food waste include:
  • Struggling to judge and buy the right amount
  • Frequent ‘displaced meals’ - when planned meals aren’t eaten as intended
  • Less concern about food affordability and availability as the cost-of-living crisis eases
  • Higher comfort levels in wasting food
  • Lesser salience to knowing how food is grown and sourced.

Who is wasting the most food at home?

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

• Younger adults (18-34), who report higher waste levels than other age groups.
• Households with children, where food waste is often linked to meal changes and overbuying.
• People with a higher number of displaced meals.
• People who use ‘convenience methods’ (online shopping half or more items, click & collect, fruit/veg box schemes, subscription delivery, delivery companies and food sharing apps) for shopping.

Key insights

• Despite high awareness, personal action is lagging. 86% of people agree food waste is a national issue, with 34% recognising it as a top issue. But only 63% say they’re actively trying to reduce their own waste.
• Fewer people recall seeing food waste messages. 45% remember hearing advice on reducing food waste, but recognition of Love Food Hate Waste remains stable. Around 1 in 3 UK citizens recognise the campaign.
• Competencies and behaviours around food management haven’t changed since 2022, with the key weaknesses that contribute to food waste being avoiding temptation and overbuying.

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

60% of all UK food waste happens in our homes - 6.4 million tonnes of it. The precious resources that are used to grow, process and transport food are ending up in the bin, along with the money spent to produce and purchase it.

Together, we must take action to ensure that:

• 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 below.

Fieldwork for the Household Food Management Survey in the UK was undertaken online by Icaro, between the 21st June – 1st July 2024. A total of 4,740 interviews were undertaken with UK adults who have responsibility for food shopping and / or preparation in the home.