New Environmental Protection Agency research shows that 48 per cent of people say bread is the food they throw out most often. The research, carried out for National Stop Food Waste Day last weekend, explored our habits which contribute to the more than 220,000 tonnes of household food waste produced in Ireland every year.
The EPA is sharing tips to help reduce bread waste at home and save money too.
The reasons we waste food are different for everyone; we buy too much, plans can change and our busy lives mean food doesn’t get eaten on time. Day-to-day, it might not seem like much but when added up households could save up to €60 a month by making small changes to how we buy, store and cook our food. Once you start thinking about food waste there will always be something you can do to avoid it.
To prevent waste and make savings on our food bills, one easy and practical tip is to freeze bread products. EPA research found that 87 per cent of people who buy sliced pan freeze it to avoid wasting it, with 91 per cent of people confirming frozen bread gets eaten ‘all the time or often’. These good habits can also extend to other bread products. Just 55 per cent of people say they freeze rolls or baguettes, and only 35 per cent freeze wraps.
“Freezing bread keeps it for longer and means you have a ready store when you need it," explained EPA food waste prevention expert Odile Le Bolloch. "The good news is that we are already great at freezing sliced pan and using it later but there is an opportunity to stop other bread going to waste.
"Did you know you can freeze all types of bread, like rolls, baguettes and wraps? We are sharing some tips to help people in Galway make one small change and get freezing all types of bread.”
The EPA’s top tips on freezing bread to avoid waste:
You can freeze all types of bread including wraps, bagels, hot dog buns, burger buns, bread rolls and ciabatta.
After you open a packet of wraps, roll leftover wraps two at a time in foil (like a burrito ) and pop in the freezer. To eat, pop the foil covered wraps in the oven or air fryer to heat them up.?
Loosen bagels and rolls in the packet before freezing so they don’t stick together.
Bread will last in the freezer for up to three months – just wrap it well or place it in a freezer bag.
When you buy fresh bread, freeze some in slices so you can use them as needed – frozen bread slices can be put straight into the toaster. Did you know that freezing half a loaf per week could save you €75 per year?
Food businesses in Galway have an important role to play in reducing food waste too, as nearly two thirds of food waste in Ireland is generated from businesses. Food sector businesses can support National Stop Food Waste Day by signing the Food Waste Charter, a national voluntary commitment by businesses who pledge to measure their food waste and take action to reduce it.
Whether you're changing your food habits by freezing all types of bread, or a business signing up to the Food Waste Charter and taking positive action to reduce bread waste in your business, the EPA wants to hear how you get on.
Share your actions on social media by using the hashtag #SFWDay2026 and tagging @stopfoodwaste.ie and @EPAIreland.
