Partner Spotlight: RECYC-QUÉBEC — Leading the Charge on Food Waste Reduction in Québec
At Love Food Hate Waste Canada, we are proud to work with partners across the country who share our values and are taking meaningful action to reduce food waste in their communities. One such partner is RECYC-QUÉBEC, Quebec’s provincial agency dedicated to promoting the circular economy and reducing waste at its source.
We had the opportunity to speak with Noémie Lampron, M. Env., Environmental Advisor, Circular Economy and Source Reduction at RECYC-QUÉBEC, to learn more about their approach to food waste, the unique challenges they face, and the successes they’ve achieved on their journey toward a Quebec without waste.
Taking Action on Food Waste: Why It Matters
RECYC-QUÉBEC’s mission is clear: to encourage Quebecers to reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover waste materials — and food waste is part of that mandate.
Their action on food waste was based on findings from a 2022 study on food loss and waste in Quebec. Noémie shared that “in Quebec, 18% of the food system’s GHG emissions come from lost or wasted food. While there is loss at every stage of the food chain, 28% of food waste occurs in households.” Reducing food waste matters and the Love Food Hate Waste campaign helps them raise awareness and offer concrete solutions to make a real difference.
“We believe that every action counts when it comes to reducing food waste. And with current inflation, we want to help citizens rethink their food and inspire them with practical tips and solutions by deploying the French-language version of the campaign across Canada.”
Educating and Inspiring Action: Spreading the Word
From public events and traditional media like TV, cooking shows, and newspapers to social media, RECYC-QUÉBEC is meeting people where they are. For those new to the issue, statistics and facts help highlight the significance of food waste. For those already aware and committed to reducing waste, practical tips and recipes are key.
They’ve also equipped municipalities with a comprehensive LFHW awareness toolkit, including pre-made social media posts, posters, and web banners to help municipalities connect with their citizens and spread the message further.
We whole heartedly agree with Noémie’s sentiment that “the more people hear about it, the more we can reduce food waste.”
Seeing a Shift: Is it Making a Difference
There are promising signs of progress. Noémie noted a growing interest in reducing food waste from Quebecers at public events and shared a standout result of the campaign. “Our Love Food Hate Waste awareness campaign involving 15 municipal organizations reached almost 50% of Quebec’s population — rural and urban. We’re seeing that when people understand the impact of food waste, they become interested in doing more.”
For quantifiable data, she added “we are planning to update our food loss and waste quantification study in 2027 to give us a better indication of how behaviours have changed.”
A Personal Tip from Noémie
It’s clear that Noémie doesn’t just talk the talk — she truly lives her values when it comes to food waste and the circular economy. When we asked what she does in her own kitchen to reduce food waste, she didn’t hesitate. “Meal planning is really important to me.”
“It sounds simple, but it’s such an effective way to manage your food and reduce waste. I start by planning meals for the week, then I make a grocery list. Most importantly, I try to STICK to the list! I like to plan meals based on what I already have and do an inventory of ingredients before I make the grocery list.”
We love meal planning too, and think Noémie’s strategy is great.
Looking Ahead: What’s next for RECYC-QUÉBEC?
Noémie is excited about educating consumers on Best Before Dates “We’ve seen studies that show how misconceptions about Best Before Dates lead to more food waste. That’s why we want to start talking more about what they mean and how to manage them effectively.”
We’ll be right there with you, RECYC-QUÉBEC — Best Before Dates are on our agenda too!
RECYC-QUÉBEC is a shining example of what’s possible when a province commits to meaningful action against food waste. We’re proud to work alongside them and support their continued efforts to educate, inspire, and empower Quebecers to make small changes that add up to a big impact.
Together, we’re working toward a future with less waste — and a stronger, more sustainable food system for all.
