The Eastern-Midland Regional Waste Management Office (EMWRO) is the Irish participant in a new pan-European project designed to reduce food waste while promoting healthy and sustainable eating.
Dublin is one of seven European cities chosen to take part in a pan-European TRiFOCAL project, which aims to find food waste solutions specifically suited to cities. It’s being led by a number of research organisations based in the UK, including WRAP (the London Waste and Recycling Board) under the joint partnerships of Resource London and Groundwork London.
In its current phase, the project will work with a wide range of stakeholders throughout London to pilot a number of food waste prevention and healthy eating innovations. Successes within London will then be shared with the seven cities in the EU – Dublin, Barcelona, Brussels, Burgas (Bulgaria), Milan, Oslo and Växjö (Sweden) are the first to sign up to join the TRiFOCAL initiative.
Dublin is one of seven European cities taking part in the project.
“On average Irish households throw out one-third of food purchased, at an estimated cost of between €400 and €1,000 per household,” according to Hugh Coughlan, EMWRO co-ordinator.
He said the initiative has real potential to enact positive environmental and health impacts for Dublin and cities all over Europe. “In addition, we hope the results can be adapted and extended nationally to all parts of Ireland. Participating in this project perfectly complements other work we’re already doing in our region in terms of awareness and education to prevent avoidable food waste and to increase the recycling of unavoidable food waste.
The TRiFOCAL project seeks to raise awareness amongst those living in and visiting cities. It aims to prevent food waste by changing planning, shopping, storage and meal preparation habits.
