Under the slogan 'Food waste is out of taste', the European Week for Waste Reduction will be held this year from 16 to 24 November to raise awareness among citizens about the importance of reducing waste and promoting more sustainable waste management practices. According to recent studies by Elika Fundazioa, the average annual food waste in the Basque Country is 111 kilos per person, of which 40 kilos is edible food.

The Basque Country, coordinated by Ihobe, is marking the European Week for Waste Reduction from 16 to 24 November, simultaneously with the different countries of Europe

The 200 entries in the Basque Country will now go through a selection process. The best projects in each of the categories - educational establishments, associations, public administrations, and business - will shortly be recognised in the Basque Country; Ihobe will then put them forward to the European organisers as entries for the European prize held annually by the European Commission.

In conjunction with Elika, the Basque Foundation for Agro-Food Safety, Ihobe is striving for this year's European Week for Waste Reduction to consolidate responsible consumption practices and to promote the reuse of food with nutritional value that would otherwise end up being thrown away.

'Food waste is out of taste!' is the slogan chosen for the initiative this year; its goal is for a week to be dedicated to showcasing, promoting and implementing actions to raise awareness about sustainable resources and waste management

Family activities in the Ekoetxea Network

Coinciding with the European Week for Waste Reduction, Ekoetxea - the Basque Network of Environmental Centres will run activities aimed at fostering more sustainable consumption habits and at raising awareness of the importance of reducing food waste.

The Ekoetxea Network is also organising its “Food waste is out of taste”, a unique experience for the whole family that is an opportunity to reflect on the problem of food waste and its environmental impact. Participants will find a circuit of interactive 'txokos' (stands) with tests and activities designed to raise awareness about the importance of reducing waste.

This activity will be run at Ekoetxea Azpeitia on Saturday 16 November, at Ekoetxea Txingudi on Sunday 17 November, at Ekoetxea Meatzaldea on Saturday 23 November, and at Ekoetxea Urdaibai on Sunday 24 November. Participants can register at www.ekoetxea.eus.

The Ekoetxea Network will conduct different experiences aimed at fostering more sustainable consumer habits and at raising awareness of the importance of reducing food waste

Ekoetxea Txingudi, together with Ekopatrulla Irún and Recicla-Birziklatu, will coordinate a waste clean-up at the Plaiaundi Ecological Park between 10.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. on Saturday 16 November, as part of the 'Let’s Clean Up Euskadi!' initiative. Just a few minutes from the centre of Irun, this natural area is a vital enclave of the Txingudi saltmarshes due to its biological diversity, as a buffer for climate change and as an ideal place to enjoy and connect with nature.

However, the area is also vulnerable due to the presence of waste contaminating the soil and polluting the water and air, which damages the flora, fauna and the balance of the ecosystem.