Join the Food Waste Free Week!
Take on the challenge and don't throw away any food for a whole week during the Food Waste Free Week. If all Dutch households avoid wasting food for a week, we'll save almost 18 million meals. Will you join in from 7 to 13 September? Together we'll make the Netherlands food waste-free!
Did you know we often waste more food than we realize? That adds up to almost 18 million meals per week for all Dutch people combined! There’s still a lot we can improve.
Discover how you can help prevent food waste!
Get inspired
Sometimes your meal plans don't go as expected. That's when food waste is lurking. But you already have what you need at home to do something about it, a freezer and a pantry that can help you out. Below are some tips to help you avoid wasting anything for a whole week.
There are also activities happening across the country during the Food Waste Free Week that you can join. Nearly every province is organizing Food Waste Free Tables and workshops, where meals are cooked using products that might otherwise go to waste.
We know nobody wants to waste food. Yet Dutch people throw away an average of 25.5 kg of food per person per year.
Tips to prevent food waste
By being smart about meal plans that don't go as expected, you can prevent food waste. Check out the tips:
Cook with what you have
Missing one or more ingredients? Don't rush to the supermarket right away, first check what you already have at home. Your fridge, pantry, and freezer may hold products you can easily use instead. Think of frozen vegetables and fruit, frozen fish, or a can of peeled tomatoes instead of fresh ones.You already have it at home
Unexpected extra guests at the table? No stress. Products from your pantry and freezer can help you quickly stretch a meal. Think of a can of legumes added to a curry sauce or wrap filling, pasta or couscous used to bulk up a salad, or a can of diced tomatoes and frozen vegetables to make extra pasta sauce.The freezer is your best friend
Do you have left overs because fewer people showed up to eat than planned? Or are you spontaneously eating out while groceries need using up at home? Freezing leftovers and other food can extend their shelf life by months. Think of vegetables and fruit, but also grated cheese, beaten eggs, and meat (freeze before or on the "use by" date).Share with others
Have leftover ingredients or made more food than you can eat? Make someone else happy with it think of neighbours, family, or friends.
Join the Waste Free Week 2026
You aren't Food Waste Free for just one week... the goal is to stay waste-free throughout the whole year.
Follow us on Instagram for more tips, and sign up for the Waste-Free newsletter (subscription box at the bottom of the page).
These organizations are taking part this year!
