Today marks the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, a reminder of the critical issue of food waste in our society and its impact on global resources.
More alarmingly, food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which exacerbate the climate crisis. Sports clubs and venues, in particular, have a unique opportunity to be part of the solution.
Food Waste in Sports Clubs
Sports are a major part of global culture, drawing millions of supporters to sporting venues each year. While these events offer enjoyment and a sense of community, they also contribute significantly to food waste.
In 2021, for example, the Tokyo Olympics saw 175 tons of food prepared for athletes go uneaten, along with 300,000 bento boxes for staff and volunteers being wasted. This food waste alone contributed to 332,500 kg of carbon emissions—the equivalent of powering a household for over 81 years.*
Such staggering figures are not isolated. Every year, sports clubs and events, from local matches to World Cup's, produce vast amounts of waste through overproduction, mismanagement, and unsustainable food distribution practices.
In the quest to feed crowds, clubs often overestimate demand, resulting in food that is prepared but never consumed. This inefficiency not only wastes food but also squanders the resources used to produce it, adding pressure on natural ecosystems already struggling with biodiversity loss and pollution.
Beyond the environmental cost, there’s also a moral dimension to food waste. In a world where people go hungry, the fact that edible food is being discarded at sporting events calls for urgent change.
What Sports Clubs Can Do to Reduce Food Waste
Sports clubs, have a critical role to play in combating food waste. Here are some actionable steps they can take:
Adopt Smart Food Purchasing Strategies
Sports clubs can significantly reduce food waste by improving how they predict and manage food demand. Using data from past events to better anticipate crowd sizes and consumption habits can help clubs avoid overproducing food.
Support Sustainable Menu Options
Clubs can take a sustainable approach by offering more eco-friendly menu items, such as plant-based options or meals featuring locally sourced ingredients. By working with local farmers, clubs not only reduce transportation-related emissions but also support community food systems.
Donate Surplus Food
Not all food waste is unavoidable, but instead of throwing surplus food away, clubs can donate it to local food banks or charities. By establishing partnerships with such services, sports clubs can help reduce hunger while mitigating food waste.
Compost Food Scraps
Composting food waste is an effective way to return nutrients to the soil, supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Many venues are already adopting composting programs that transform leftover food into valuable compost for local farms and gardens.
Educate Supporters & Players
 Raising awareness among supporters and players is critical to changing food waste behaviour. Clubs can launch campaigns encouraging fans to reduce their own food waste by purchasing only what they need and taking leftovers home. By incorporating environmental messages into match-day experiences, clubs can foster a culture of sustainability.
By adopting these strategies, we can help reduce the environmental impact of food waste, protect natural resources, and create a more equitable world where food is valued and not wasted.
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