Campaign Overview:

Towards the end of 2019, the MBB launched a national awareness-raising campaign called Business Against Food Waste (2019 – 2021), which brings together local strategic partners such as HSBC Malta CSR Institute, Wasteserv, ITS, and MTA. It is clear that a large part of food waste is generated at the consumer stage (leftovers). This necessitates a cultural and behavioral shift on the side of customers to reduce waste not only at home, but also in restaurants since establishments can only do so much to reduce waste in their kitchens. This concern has also been reiterated to the MBB by local hospitality establishments, leading the MBB to set up this awareness campaign.

MBB approached the HSBC Malta CSR Institute following the delivery of their one-day sustainability courses through a separate project (Together for Sustainability), and agreed to embark on similar sessions under the heading of the Business Against Food Waste campaign.

So far, the MBB and the HSBC Malta CSR Institute have A total of 6 physical seminars were organized between October 2019 and March 2020. Due to Covid-19, the campaign partners suspended further physical events and shifted the focus onto online webinars. Two more sessions (split over two days each) were organized in April and May 2020.

These sessions allowed the campaign to reach over 300 unique participants coming from various sectors, including hospitality, manufacturing, services, education, as well as some from the public sector and general public.

The participants were initially introduced to the food waste challenge from a broad perspective. Opening these session, MBB Sustainable Development Executive Gabriel Cassar discussed how food waste is a complex issue which impacts upon different areas, including our environment, the economy, and the social sphere.

Following this introduction, several professionals working in the food waste area provided participants with practical tips and techniques on how to reduce food waste at work and at home. The topics covered include sustainable food habits, sustainable seafood consumption, proper separation of organic waste, growing food from food scraps and creating compost.

Representatives from the Ministry for the Environment, Gardenscapes Gardening Services, Wasteserv Malta, AquaBioTech Group, and Nature Trust Malta led these activities.

These sessions were also complimented by promotion and outreach through media work, social media and emails.

 

Action during EWWR 2020:

During the EWWR 2020, the project partners will create a short social media campaign to promote tips and ideas which emerged during the seminars highlighted above. This will involve posts and/or graphics which highlight topics such as:

• General information on food waste and why it’s a problem
• How to create compost from food scraps
• Making sustainable seafood choices
• and other general tips.

These will be shared among the partners’ networks, ensuring a strong reach. So far, social media posts prior to the EWWR have reached thousands of individuals.

Links to main social media pages:

https://www.facebook.com/MaltaBusinessBureau

https://www.linkedin.com/company/maltabusinessbureau/

https://www.facebook.com/HSBCMalta

https://www.facebook.com/Malta-CSR-Institute-317729455718552