Swiss Government Warns Food Waste Remains Too High.
The Switzerland government has warned that food waste levels across the country remain far too high, despite ongoing national efforts to reduce waste by 2030.
In an interim report released on Wednesday, authorities revealed that food waste declined by only around 5% between 2017 and 2024, falling well short of the targeted 25% reduction by 2025.
Switzerland launched its national action plan against food waste in 2022, aiming to cut avoidable food losses in half by the year 2030. While some sectors have shown measurable improvement, officials say overall progress remains too slow.
The retail industry achieved the strongest results, reducing food waste by approximately 20% through improved inventory management, discount systems, and food redistribution initiatives.
However, Swiss households continue to lag behind, remaining one of the biggest contributors to unnecessary food waste. Authorities say consumer behavior, over-purchasing, and poor meal planning remain major challenges.
The government emphasized that reducing food waste is essential for environmental protection, resource conservation, and climate goals, as discarded food contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
Officials are now calling for stronger public awareness campaigns and greater cooperation between households, businesses, and food service sectors to accelerate progress toward the 2030 target.
Food waste reduction has become a major sustainability issue across Europe as governments seek to improve resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

