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Diari de Catalunya

Catalonia Wastes 21.5 Kilos of Food Per Person Annually

The Emys Foundation in Riudarenes highlights the economic and environmental impact of this figure, equivalent to 14,000 Olympic swimming pools of water.

Generic image of fresh fruits and vegetables on a wooden table, symbolizing food utilization.
IA

Generic image of fresh fruits and vegetables on a wooden table, symbolizing food utilization.

Each resident in Catalonia discards an average of 21.5 kilograms of food annually, an alarming figure that the Emys Foundation from Riudarenes has highlighted to coincide with the International Day of Zero Waste, celebrated on March 30.

This figure not only represents a loss of food but also has a significant impact on resource use. The water associated with wasted food in Catalonia is equivalent to over 14,000 Olympic swimming pools, a volume that could cover the domestic consumption of the entire population for more than a month.
The phenomenon of food waste also has a significant economic impact. Before food reaches the market, nearly 173,000 tons are lost annually in Catalonia, generating a cost exceeding 900 million euros each year.
From Riudarenes, the Emys Foundation leads various initiatives to raise public awareness and promote changes in consumption habits. Through workshops and cooking activities that utilize leftover food, the organization seeks to reduce waste in Catalan households.
A notable example is the Rebost de Can Moragues project, which in 2025 managed to recover over 900 kilograms of fruit and vegetables, giving them a second life through cooking and thus preventing them from ending up in the trash.

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