Invest
How Aussie households can save $1,043 a year
If Aussies reduced their household waste to zero every year, they could pocket themselves over a $1,000, new research has found.
How Aussie households can save $1,043 a year
If Aussies reduced their household waste to zero every year, they could pocket themselves over a $1,000, new research has found.
A study conducted by Rabobank has found that during the pandemic, the amount of food wastage has increased, despite Australians spending more time at home.
Numbers crunched by the bank in a report conducted on survey data in March and September found food wastage increased to $10.3 billion nationally.
Individual Aussies are now throwing away 12.7 per cent of the food they buy, which is costing them an all-time high of $1,043 per household.
Mr Wealands pointed out that as the country emerges from lockdown, there should be a renewed focus on lowering food wastage.
“Think about how and when you can use the excess food in your pantry and freezer, check your cupboards and the use by dates on packages to ensure you’re using what you have, make a weekly meal plan before you shop online and factor in a night off when you order your favourite local takeaway,” he said.
“These measures will have a huge impact on reducing our food waste collectively, as well as being kinder to the hip pocket for Aussies.”
Soar of delivery services sees food wastage rise
Delivery services have soared during the pandemic as Australians swap a night out for takeaway at home.
Rabobank has found that there has been an increase in the number of people using food delivery services in 2020, rising from 54 per cent pre-pandemic to 61 per cent currently, with more than double the number of people using these services at least once a week.
As dining out took a hit, Australians have also increasingly turned to self-prepare ‘meal kit’ food services, from 28 per cent pre-pandemic to 36 per cent currently.
While food delivery and meal kits have offered a welcomed release for many from the monotony of cooking every evening, the research shows a worrying correlation between uptake of these services and increased food waste; those most likely to use these services also waste over double the amount of food when compared with those who don’t.
“This is a real watch-out for consumers,” commented Mr Wealands. “We note through the research that consumers are working harder than ever to keep their finances in check, so it’s especially important for those that order pre-prepared meals to be mindful that unless you’re using these services wisely, it’s bad for your wallet and bad for reducing food waste.”
About the author
About the author
Spending
How much are you wasting on unused subscriptions?
Australians are continuing to pay for subscriptions they are not using, costing households up to $2,000 a year, new banking figures have revealed. ...Read more
Spending
Viagogo under the microscope for ‘ripping off’ consumers
Viagogo is under investigation by Fair Trading after ticket scalpers have been accused of raking in excessive profits through the ticketing site. ...Read more
Spending
Consumer spending defies lockdown
Statewide lockdowns have not hampered consumer spending, with the latest government data showing Aussies are continuing to spend more on their credit cards. ...Read more
Spending
How a cartel is dictating how much you pay at the pump
Talks among members of the OPEC cartel and allied oil producing countries have broken down, which is leading to skyrocketing oil prices, meaning everyone pays more for petrol, a government body has re...Read more
Spending
Have you noticed the price of your mobile plan increasing?
The consumer watchdog has revealed that the three main telecommunication providers have recently raised prices, meaning millions of Australians are now paying more for mobile services. ...Read more
Spending
Victoria’s lockdowns dampen retail spending
The latest COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria has dented national retail figures, as the economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. ...Read more
Spending
It should be easier to fix your phone, Productivity Commission finds
The Productivity Commission has found that it should be easier for Australians to get their smartphone repaired and has recommended changes that include ‘super complaints’ to be reported to watchd...Read more
Spending
You can win free flights for a year, but there’s a major catch
In a bid to keep Australia’s domestic aviation afloat, Qantas is offering free flights for a year for 10 families of four who get the COVID-19 jab, even though the failed vaccine rollout means only ...Read more
The Olympic effect on property and equity investors; COVID-19 Disaster Payments and super
Listen now
Do lockdowns boost property prices? Are short-sellers levelling the playing field? Did you lodge your tax returns early?
Listen now
Will lockdowns halt the housing boom? Is the metaverse taking over? And the cons of lodging your tax returns early
Listen now
Are you being priced out of the market? Have you got the Tuesday blues? And are you ready for the upcoming super changes?
Listen now
Spending
How much are you wasting on unused subscriptions?
Australians are continuing to pay for subscriptions they are not using, costing households up to $2,000 a year, new banking figures have revealed. ...Read more
Spending
Viagogo under the microscope for ‘ripping off’ consumers
Viagogo is under investigation by Fair Trading after ticket scalpers have been accused of raking in excessive profits through the ticketing site. ...Read more
Spending
Consumer spending defies lockdown
Statewide lockdowns have not hampered consumer spending, with the latest government data showing Aussies are continuing to spend more on their credit cards. ...Read more
Spending
How a cartel is dictating how much you pay at the pump
Talks among members of the OPEC cartel and allied oil producing countries have broken down, which is leading to skyrocketing oil prices, meaning everyone pays more for petrol, a government body has re...Read more
Spending
Have you noticed the price of your mobile plan increasing?
The consumer watchdog has revealed that the three main telecommunication providers have recently raised prices, meaning millions of Australians are now paying more for mobile services. ...Read more
Spending
Victoria’s lockdowns dampen retail spending
The latest COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria has dented national retail figures, as the economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. ...Read more
Spending
It should be easier to fix your phone, Productivity Commission finds
The Productivity Commission has found that it should be easier for Australians to get their smartphone repaired and has recommended changes that include ‘super complaints’ to be reported to watchd...Read more
Spending
You can win free flights for a year, but there’s a major catch
In a bid to keep Australia’s domestic aviation afloat, Qantas is offering free flights for a year for 10 families of four who get the COVID-19 jab, even though the failed vaccine rollout means only ...Read more
More articles
Website Notifications
Get notifications in real-time for staying up to date with content that matters to you.
