‘Dumpster diving’ on the rise due to massive food wastage in Melbourne

Dumpster divers are dining out on the mountains of edible food being thrown away.

Food wastage is becoming a real issue, with supermarkets throwing away 170,000 tonnes of food per year, and restaurants and cafes discarding nearly three times more.

RMIT’s Diane McGrath told Justin and Kate organisations such as Second Bite, Fare Share, Oz Harvest, and Food Bank help funnel wasted food to people who need it.

‘It’s extraordinary how much food is going to waste when people are hungry,’ said Ms McGrath, who is doing a Ph D in food waste.

She said if you’re going to dumpster dive, it’s important to know how to do it safely.

‘Most of the food in dumpsters is usually in packages,’ she said.

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