The United Nations Environment Programme and UN-Habitat warned, during the commemoration of the International Day of Zero Waste, that the world generates up to 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste annually.

This signaled a renewed global calls to tackle rising food waste across the world.

This year’s observance, jointly facilitated by the two UN agencies, focused on food waste, highlighting its far-reaching implications for climate change, food security, and economic stability.

According to the UN, more than one billion tonnes of food, representing about 19 per cent of all food available to consumers, is wasted yearly, even as hundreds of millions of people face hunger globally.

The global body also revealed that an additional 13 per cent of food is lost between harvest and retail, underscoring inefficiencies across the food value chain.

In his message to mark the day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said urgent action was required across all levels of society to reverse the trend.

“This year’s International Day of Zero Waste spotlights the mounting food waste crisis and calls on each of us to take action.“Consumers can make a big impact with small changes in their shopping and cooking habits, while governments and businesses must scale up systemic solutions,” he said.

Executive Director of UNEP, Inger Andersen, described food waste as both an environmental and economic burden, noting that it costs the global economy about $1trn annually.

“In a time of accelerating climate change and rising food prices, we cannot afford to waste precious resources to grow food that is not eaten,” Andersen said.

She added that reducing food waste would significantly cut methane emissions, improve food security, and support the transition to a circular economy.

UN data showed that food loss and waste account for between eight and 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, with food waste alone responsible for up to 14 per cent of methane emissions — a gas far more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term.

In Nigeria, food waste remains a critical but underreported issue, particularly across households, open markets, and post-harvest handling systems.

Experts say poor storage facilities, weak cold chain infrastructure, and inefficient transportation contribute significantly to food losses, especially in rural farming communities.The situation is further worsened by rising inflation and food insecurity, with many households struggling to access affordable and nutritious meals.

In her remarks, the First Lady of Türkiye, Emine Erdoğan, emphasised the moral dimension of food waste, saying that in every wasted bite lies the right of someone whose life depends on it.

Erdoğan urged individuals to adopt more responsible consumption habits.

As part of efforts to address the crisis, UNEP and partners have launched several initiatives, including the “Recipe of Change,” a programme aimed at mobilising tourism and hospitality businesses to measure and reduce food waste.