A new national research project has been set up to gain insight into how the lockdown has affected food waste and to help citizens to waste less food when the pandemic ends.
Researchers from the University of Leeds and two leading environmental organisations – Zero Waste Scotland and WRAP – will examine food waste during and after lockdown periods and develop interventions to support sustainable consumer behaviour.
According to Circular Online, the 18-month research project has been awarded funding of £328,000, including a grant of £268,000 from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), as part of the UK Research and Innovation’s rapid response to Covid-19.
During the first national lockdown of 2020, self-reported levels of food waste in the UK fell by 34% – the sharpest fall on record.
