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Bread is the food thrown out most often at home 

Date released: March 01, 2026

  • Over 220,000 tonnes of household food waste are produced in Ireland every year.
  • According to EPA research, 48% of people say bread is the food they waste most at home.
  • Wasted food costs Irish households on average over €60 a month.
  • 1st March is National Stop Food Waste Day and the EPA is sharing tips with people on how to reduce food waste, especially making the most of their bread.

EPA research shows that 48% of people say bread is the food they throw out most often. This National Stop Food Waste Day, Sunday 1st March, the EPA is sharing tips with people to help reduce bread waste at home and save money too.

The reasons we waste food are different for everyone; we buy too much, plans can change and our busy lives mean food doesn’t get eaten on time. Day-to-day, it might not seem like much but when added up households could save up to €60 a month by making small changes to how we buy, store and cook our food. Once you start thinking about food waste there will always be something you can do to avoid it.

To prevent waste and make savings on our food bills, one easy and practical tip is to freeze bread products. EPA research found that 87% of people who buy sliced pan freeze it to avoid wasting it, with 91% of people confirming frozen bread gets eaten ‘all the time or often’. These good habits can also extend to other bread products. Just 55% of people say they freeze rolls or baguettes and only 35% freeze wraps.

EPA food waste prevention expert Odile Le Bolloch explains:

“Freezing bread keeps it for longer and means you have a ready store when you need it. The good news is that we are already great at freezing sliced pan and using it later but there is an opportunity to stop other bread going to waste.

Did you know you can freeze all types of bread, like rolls, baguettes and wraps? We are sharing some tips to help people make one small change and get freezing all types of bread.”

The EPA’s Top Tips on freezing bread to avoid waste:

  • You can freeze all types of bread including wraps, bagels, hot dog buns, burger buns, bread rolls and ciabatta!
  • Top tip: After you open a packet of wraps, roll leftover wraps two at a time in foil (like a burrito) and pop in the freezer. To eat, pop the foil covered wraps in the oven or airfryer to heat them up.
  • Top tip: Loosen bagels and rolls in the packet before freezing so they don’t stick together.
  • Bread will last in the freezer for up to 3 months – just wrap it well or place it in a freezer bag.
  • When you buy fresh bread freeze some in slices so you can use them as needed – frozen bread slices can be put straight into the toaster! Did you know that freezing half a loaf per week could save you €75 per year?

Food businesses have an important role to play in reducing food waste too, as nearly two thirds of food waste in Ireland is generated from businesses. Food sector businesses can support National Stop Food Waste Day by signing the Food Waste Charter, a national voluntary commitment by businesses who pledge to measure their food waste and take action to reduce it.

Whether you're changing your food habits by freezing all types of bread, or a business signing up to the Food Waste Charter and taking positive action to reduce bread waste in your business, the EPA wants to hear how you get on. Share your actions on social media by using the hashtag #SFWDay2026 and tagging @stopfoodwaste.ie and @EPAIreland.

ENDS

Notes to editor:

  • Stop Food Waste.ie is the national public campaign for reducing household food waste, led by the Environmental Protection Agency. Through the website and on social media (Instagram and Facebook) there is information and tips to make the most of food and avoid wasting it.
  • National Stop Food Waste Day is marked each year on 1st March. The EPA is leading a National Stop Food Waste campaign from 1st to 7th March 2026. Follow the National Stop Food Waste 2026 campaign:
    • Instagram: @stopfoodwaste.ie and @EPAIreland
    • Facebook: @StopFoodWaste.ie and @EPAIreland
    • LinkedIn: @Environmental-Protection-Agency-Ireland
  • Results presented are from the EPA’s circular economy behavioural research programme, which provides insights into behaviours and attitudes relating to food and food waste. These insights inform policy, provide evidence for behavioural change interventions on food waste and messaging of national communication campaigns. For more see the EPA website.
  • According to EPA national statistics, over 220,000 tonnes of food are wasted by Irish households each year. Food waste is responsible for up to 10 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions globally. By reducing our food waste, not only are we taking an important climate action, but are also saving money - on average €700 a year is spent by households on food that is wasted.
  • In 2023, Ireland generated 835,000 tonnes of food waste across primary production, manufacturing & processing, distribution & retail, restaurants & food services, and households. For more information see the EPA website.
  • EU waste legislation has introduced national binding food waste reduction targets by 2030. TThe targets are a 10% reduction in food waste in processing and manufacturing and a 30% (per capita) reduction jointly at retail and consumption (restaurants, food services and households).
  • Businesses can support Stop Food Waste Day by signing the Food Waste Charter; pledging to measure their food waste and taking action to reduce it. The Food Waste Charter is a national voluntary agreement led by the EPA which aims to promote a collective industry commitment to reduce food waste along the entire food supply chain, as two thirds of food waste are generated across the food supply chain.
  • Resources, such as the Food Waste Charter Waste Matters Resource, help businesses to monitor and measure their food waste have been developed by the EPA.