Vietnam ministry urges changes in daily habit as over 1bn tonnes of food wasted worldwide

According to the United Nations Environment Program's 2024 Food Waste Index Report, nearly 1.05 billion metric tons of food was wasted in 2022 by households, food-service establishments, and retailers.

The ministry on Sunday morning held a national launch ceremony to mark the 2026 Clean Up the World campaign, in coordination with the Hanoi People’s Committee and relevant agencies.

More than 1,000 people attended the event.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister Le Trong Yen said the 2026 campaign focuses on a global challenge rooted in everyday life, related to ‘food waste and food waste management.'

Behind every portion of food that is discarded lies wasted land, water, energy, and human labor.

Food waste also piles pressure on waste-treatment systems and directly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

In Vietnam, food and organic waste currently account for an estimated 50-70 percent of household waste, said Yen.

Without proper separation, collection and treatment, such waste could place a significant burden on urban infrastructure and pose a direct threat to the living environment.

As such, this year’s campaign goes beyond a call for environmental cleanliness and promotes a more comprehensive approach.

A clean plate is not simply about leaving no food uneaten, but it can also mark the beginning of a circular chain for recovering and reusing resources.

Under the theme ‘From a Clean Plate to a Clean City, Yen called on agencies, local authorities, organizations, businesses, and the public to reduce food waste and waste generation at source.

Every household, office, school, restaurant, hotel, market, and food-service business should gradually change its habits in purchasing, preparing, and consuming food, with greater emphasis on efficiency and avoiding unnecessary waste.

Businesses should pay greater attention to reducing losses during production, processing, storage, and distribution.

They should also innovate their processes and business models to make more efficient use of raw materials, energy, and water.

Pauline Tamesis, UN resident coordinator for Vietnam, said food loss and waste contribute to climate change, accelerate biodiversity loss, and cause serious pollution of ecosystems.

To achieve meaningful transformation, Tamesis said action is needed across the entire agri-food value chain.

“The government, enterprises, and residents need to work together to prevent losses along the supply chain, keep edible food in circulation, and transform unavoidable organic waste into useful resources,” she said.

Change begins with each household.

Individuals can make a difference through responsible daily choices, such as planning meals, buying only what is genuinely needed, and finding creative ways to use leftovers.