Dutch households underes­ti­mate their own food waste

People in the Netherlands are willing to live more sustainably—especially when it comes to food. Yet over thirty kilos of food per person still ends up in the bin every year. What’s the issue? Most people don’t realise how much they waste themselves. And often, the solution is already in their kitchen: the freezer.

Awareness falls short

A study by Dr. Oetker among a thousand consumers shows that only 20% say they throw away food each week. Meanwhile, figures from the Voedingscentrum reveal that actual food waste averages 33.4 kilos per person per year. That highlights a big gap between perception and reality. While most respondents consider reducing waste important, many run into practical barriers: leftovers are forgotten, portion sizes are misjudged, and people aren't sure how long food stays good. Fresh products like bread, vegetables and dairy are especially vulnerable.

Freezer as overlooked tool

In partnership with the VriesVers Platform, Dr. Oetker aims to raise awareness around the role of the freezer. “The freezer isn’t the solution, of course, but it’s an easy step for many households,” says Joost van den Berg, Marketing Director at Dr. Oetker. Still, only a third of respondents regularly choose frozen products for their longer shelf life. And cooked leftovers don’t always end up in the freezer either.

Small changes, real impact

“Much of our food waste happens without people even realising,” says Erik van Dalsum from the VriesVers Platform. Simple steps like labelling leftovers and using them creatively can already make a difference, he explains. Dr. Oetker sets the example: misshaped pizza bases are reused, surplus cheese goes back into production, and unsold products are donated to the food bank. Since 2019, food waste per ton of pizza has dropped by 13.2 percent. The goal: a 25 percent reduction by 2025.

Oetker.nl