Cypriots buy more food than needed

A recent report has found that Cypriots have a tendency to purchase more food than they actually need, leading to unnecessary waste and higher expenses. However, the report also noted that this behavior is slowly improving, as more people become aware of the issue and take steps to address it.

According to the study, Cypriot households throw away an average of 250 euros' worth of food per year. This equates to roughly 76 million euros per year of wasted food in Cyprus. The study also found that 38% of food waste is comprised of fresh fruits and vegetables, 24% is bread and bakery products, 16% is leftovers, and the remaining 22% is made up of various other food items.

The report, which was conducted by a local environmental group, found that on average, Cypriot households throw away approximately 28% of the food they buy. This amounts to roughly 175,000 tons of food waste per year, which has significant economic, environmental, and social impacts.

One of the main reasons behind this trend is the cultural habit of overstocking, where people buy more food than they need to ensure they always have enough. This can result in expired or spoiled food being thrown away, which not only wastes money but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions as the food decomposes in landfills.

However, the report also found that there has been a positive shift in behavior in recent years. More people are becoming aware of the issue of food waste and are taking steps to address it, such as meal planning, portion control, and using leftovers. Additionally, there has been an increase in initiatives to reduce food waste, such as food banks and composting programs.

Overall, while there is still room for improvement, it is encouraging to see that Cypriots are taking steps to address the issue of food waste. By continuing to raise awareness and implement sustainable practices, the country can move towards a more efficient and responsible food system.

Source: CNA