November 2024

The Waste Management Authority for Chania Prefecture Crete (DEDISA S.A.) and our Pilot City, the Municipality of Chania, participated once again this year in the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR), which was coordinated nationally by the Hellenic Recycling Agency (HRA). The events took place from November 16 to 24, 2024.

The slogan for 2024 was “Don’t Feed Waste” and the focus was on the principles of reduce – reuse – recycle. A wide range of awareness and educational activities were organized in Chania for both, children and adults. These initiatives highlighted the urgent need to reduce food waste, prevent waste generation, and improve waste management practices, as the environmental impact is substantial.

Statistics reveal that in Greece, households dispose 930,000 tons of food annually. On average, a family of four discards 140 kilograms of food waste each year.

Across the European Union in 2024, over 58 million tons of food waste were generated, with 54% coming from households while the remainder is wasted across the supply chain, including primary production and restaurants. The estimated total value of this waste amounts to €132 billion. At the same time, more than 37 million people in the EU cannot afford a quality meal every other day.

Chania’s VS1, the MULaR (Mobile Urban Living Room), was essential am part of the event. On Saturday, November 23, MULaR was placed at Markopoulos Park, where it:

• Served as an info point where all relevant materials related to the campaign were provided.
• Functioned as an exhibition space, showcasing household recycling bins.
• Became a platform for outreach, featuring a special broadcast by Nea TV (local TV station). The program included a well-known chef from Chania demonstrating creative ways to use leftover food and ingredients, offering a range of new, flavorful dishes.

These activities underscored the importance of collective action to combat food waste and promote sustainability for a healthier planet and future.

Discover more about Chania’s Pilot on their Pilot page.