The aim of this public consultation is to gather stakeholder feedback in order to inform the preparation of Ireland’s National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap 2026-2028.

In line with the commitment in Ireland’s Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy 2026-2028, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment is preparing the second iteration of Ireland’s National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap. The Roadmap aims to ensure that Ireland is on the right path to meet food waste reduction targets under the revised Waste Framework Directive, and to reduce food loss and food waste in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3.

Food waste is a global problem that has environmental, social and economic consequences. Tackling food loss and food waste is one of the key steps we can take to achieve sustainability, help combat climate change and support Ireland’s transition to a circular economy and bioeconomy.

Ireland’s first National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap 2023-2025 established priority actions to reduce food waste across key sectors in the food supply chain. Since the publication of the first Roadmap, a targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive has entered into force, which includes specific prevention measures to be taken by Member States to reduce food waste, in addition to the following binding food waste reduction targets to be achieved at national level by 2030:

• reduction of the generation of food waste in processing and manufacturing by 10%, in comparison to the amount of food waste generated as an annual average between 2021 and 2023
• reduction of the generation of food waste per capita, jointly in retail and other distribution of food, in restaurants and food services and in households, by 30% in comparison to the amount of food waste generated as an annual average between 2021 and 2023

The binding food waste reduction targets to be achieved and new requirements included in the revised Waste Framework Directive, are particularly important in shaping the next Roadmap. In addition, key outputs of FoodCloud’s Food Circle Project, which include reports with recommendations on surplus food redistribution and donation, are also informing the development of the next Roadmap.

You can access the reports on FoodCloud’s website at the following link: https://www.food.cloud/foodcircle

How to make a submission

The closing date for submissions is 5pm on Friday, 4 September 2026

Submissions should be made by responding to the questions in the survey included in the following online survey link:

https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/NFWPRSurvey2026

If you are unable to complete the survey linked above, you can request a PDF version.

You can submit the survey by email to foodwaste@dcee.gov.ie or by post to:

National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap Consultation, Circular Economy Strategic Policy Section, Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Newtown Road, Wexford, Y35 AP90

Source: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/consultations/public-consultation-on-the-national-food-waste-prevention-roadmap-2026-2028/

Ireland’s National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap 2026-2028 – Draft for Public Consultation