From:Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Roadmap will set out actions to help Ireland reduce food waste and meet new legally binding EU food waste reduction targets by 2030

Minister of State with responsibility for Circular Economy at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment Alan Dillon has today launched a public consultation on Ireland's next National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap (2026-2028).

The roadmap will set out the actions needed to help Ireland reduce food waste across the food supply chain and meet new legally binding EU food waste reduction targets by 2030. It will also support Ireland's commitment (under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3) to reduce food loss and waste.

Food waste affects everyone. When food is wasted, so too are the land, water, energy and other resources used to produce it. Reducing food waste can help tackle climate change, save money, make better use of natural resources and support Ireland's transition to a circular economy.

Food waste occurs at every stage of the food supply chain, from farms and food manufacturers to retailers, restaurants, food services and households. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over 700,000 tonnes of food were wasted in Ireland in 2024, highlighting the need for continued action across all sectors.

Roadmap builds on the progress made

The new roadmap builds on the progress made under the first National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap (2023-2025) and is a commitment under Ireland's Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy 2026-2028. It will also reflect new requirements introduced under the revised EU Waste Framework Directive, including legally binding food waste reduction targets to be achieved by 2030. The roadmap will be published on a statutory basis later this year (2026).

The preparation of the roadmap will also be informed by recommendations from the Food Circle project, which was established under the first roadmap and funded through the Circular Economy Fund. The project examined ways to increase surplus food donation and redistribution so that more edible food can be used rather than wasted.

Launching the consultation, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Circular Economy, Alan Dillon, said:

"Every piece of food we produce requires time, effort, energy and valuable natural resources. Reducing food waste is one of the simplest ways we can reduce emissions, protect valuable resources and build a more sustainable food system.

"This new roadmap will help guide Ireland's efforts over the coming years, but it is important that it reflects the experience and ideas of those who produce, sell, prepare and consume food every day.

"I encourage everyone with an interest in food waste prevention – including businesses, farmers, community organisations, food charities, social enterprises and members of the public – to take part in this consultation and help shape Ireland's next National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap."

Speaking on the consultation Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD said:

"I highly encourage all stakeholders to take part in this consultation. We need solutions not just for dealing with avoidable food waste through redistribution and low-waste practices, but also for addressing unavoidable food waste through innovative projects such as the recently opened National Biorefinery Pilot Plant (NBPP) at the National Bioeconomy Campus in Lisheen, Co Tipperary.

"When all stakeholders throughout the food chain work together to reduce our food waste, we help our primary producers and processors to be more sustainable and resilient and show respect to the hard work that has gone into producing this food."

The Department is inviting submissions from members of the public and interested stakeholders on the draft National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap 2026-2028.

The closing date for submissions is 5.00pm on Friday, 4 September 2026.

Details on how to make a submission are available here:Public Consultation on the National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap 2026-2028.