2026 Reports

Reducing Food Waste for Climate Mitigation in Lisbon and Porto’s Urban Solid Waste Systems

Portugal-Pereira, Joana

In Lisbon and Porto, the Ugly Fruit initiative addresses food waste caused by aesthetic standards by connecting farmers with consumers through a cooperative model, redirecting ‘ugly’ but edible produce to the market. Over a decade, the project has prevented thousands of tonnes of food from being wasted, reduced associated greenhouse gas emissions, and promoted environmental awareness and food security. Its success demonstrates the scalability of community-driven, circular approaches to sustainably reduce food waste in urban settings.