International Day of Zero Waste:
Following the International Day of Zero Waste (30th March), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Food Waste Index 2024 highlights that India wastes 78–80 million tonnes of food annually, exposing a stark paradox of widespread hunger alongside massive food wastage.The International Day of Zero Waste, highlights the need for better waste management and sustainable consumption. It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 and is facilitated by UNEP and United Nations Human Settlements Programme.The 2026 International Day of Zero Waste focuses on food waste, a major yet preventable cause of environmental harm.India wastes 78–80 million tonnes of food annually (₹1.55 lakh crore), even as around 194 million people remain undernourished, highlighting a serious gap in food distribution.The crisis stems from poor post-harvest infrastructure, weak supply chains, and consumer behaviour, requiring reforms in storage, processing, redistribution, and awareness to achieve food security.The world wastes roughly 1.05 billion tonnes of food annually. Households account for 60% of this waste, food services for 28%, and retail for 12%.India ranks 2nd globally in food waste (with 78-80 million tonnes of post-harvest crop and food worth Rs 1.55 lakh crore wasted annually), trailing only behind China (108 million tonnes of food per year).In comparison, the US wastes 24.7 million tonnes, while Japan, guided by its zero-waste ‘mottainai’ culture, wastes just 5.2 million tonnes.
