More and more food is ending up in the trash in Austria

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Austrian households are throwing away more and more food. According to a survey by Iglo Austria, which was presented on Thursday on International Day Against Food Waste, 80 percent of respondents said they throw food away. In 2023, the figure was 68 percent.

According to the survey, 18- to 29-year-olds in particular frequently throw away food. Ninety percent of this age group disposed of food in the last three months. Among 40- to 49-year-olds, the figure is 80 percent. The proportion among the over-60s is lowest at 67 percent.

The larger the household, the more food ends up in the trash

Single-person households throw away the least amount of food, with 65 percent having recently thrown something away. In households with three or more members, 88 percent say they have thrown away food. By far the most common reason is that previously edible food has gone bad or become moldy (60 percent). The second most common reason is food that has been forgotten (27 percent). Some way behind in third place are leftovers from meals that were too large and food where it is not clear whether it has gone off (16 percent each).

Why food ends up in the trash

A change of plans (15 percent), expired best-before dates (14 percent), and leftovers with no further use (12 percent) also often end up in the trash. One in ten survey participants also discards food that has visual defects and no longer looks fresh. People aged 18 to 29 throw away food more often than other age groups due to incorrect storage (12 percent compared to 8 percent on average). They also cook larger quantities than needed more often (23 percent versus 16 percent). Appearance is also a more important criterion for younger people when sorting food (13 percent versus ten percent on average). They are also more often unsure whether something is still suitable for consumption (20 percent versus 16 percent).

These foods end up in the trash

Fruit and bread or pastries top the list of the most frequently discarded foods (37 percent each). Vegetables (30 percent, 2023: 22 percent) and dairy products (24 percent) are also high on the list. Home-cooked meals rank fourth (23 percent). Sausage products (17 percent), meat (nine percent), and eggs (seven percent) are less likely to end up in the trash.