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Festive Food, Not Festive Waste, A Sustainability Perspective from Malta
- ascsmalta
- Dec 26, 2025
- 3 min read
The festive season is often associated with togetherness, generosity, and shared meals. At the same time, it is one of the most waste-intensive periods of the year. In Malta, as in many other countries, higher levels of consumption during this period lead to a noticeable increase in waste, with food waste standing out as a major issue that often receives less attention than packaging or gifts.
Festive celebrations typically involve large meals, multiple gatherings, and generous portions. While these practices reflect hospitality and tradition, they also increase the likelihood of food being left uneaten and eventually discarded. In Malta, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has identified over-preparing meals and over-purchasing food as key contributors to food waste during the festive season.
The impact of food waste extends far beyond what ends up in the bin. When food is wasted, so too are the resources used to produce it, including water, energy, transport, and labour. This makes food waste a significant environmental issue, particularly during periods of increased consumption. At a European level, waste generation rises during the festive period, with individuals producing around 30% more waste, alongside an additional 650 kg of CO₂ emissions per person.
Reducing food waste begins with careful planning. Planning meals realistically, based on the number of people expected, helps avoid cooking excessive quantities. Preparing a shopping list further reduces the risk of food going unused. Checking what is already available at home before shopping also ensures that existing food is used rather than forgotten. Together, these steps help minimise unnecessary purchases and ensure food is consumed rather than wasted.
Despite careful planning, leftovers are often unavoidable during the festive season. However, they do not need to become waste. Storing food properly in airtight containers helps keep it fresh for longer, while reusing leftovers creatively allows them to be transformed into new meals rather than discarded. Surplus food can also be shared with guests, neighbours, or through food-sharing platforms if it cannot be consumed in time. Additionally, composting organic waste such as fruit and vegetable peelings offers a more sustainable alternative to landfill disposal.
European sustainability initiatives such as LIFE FOODPRINT highlight how creative cooking and food-sharing practices can significantly reduce festive food waste while also strengthening community connections.
Although food waste is a major concern, other forms of waste also increase during the festive period. Gift wrapping, for example, is often non-recyclable due to plastic coatings or foil. More sustainable alternatives include reusable fabric wraps or gift bags, recycled or recyclable wrapping paper, and digital greeting cards instead of paper versions. These options help reduce waste and encourage more sustainable consumption habits.
Reducing food waste during the festive season does not require major lifestyle changes. It depends largely on planning meals carefully, managing leftovers responsibly, and making thoughtful choices about what we buy and prepare. In Malta, guidance from local authorities and sustainability initiatives highlights how everyday actions at household level can significantly reduce unnecessary waste.
When surplus food cannot be consumed, donating it is a practical and responsible alternative to disposal. In Malta, organisations such as the Foodbank Lifeline Foundation and community soup kitchens run by non-governmental organisations accept food donations to support individuals and families in need. These organisations typically accept unopened, non-perishable food items, such as canned goods, pasta, rice, and other long-life products, provided they are within their expiry dates. Donating surplus food not only prevents waste but also helps address food insecurity within the local community.
By combining waste-reduction habits with responsible food donation, students and households can play an active role in reducing the environmental impact of the festive season while supporting those in need. Small, conscious decisions can help ensure that food is valued, shared, and used responsibly, rather than wasted.
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