waste the food vs waste food

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Waste the food' is used when referring to specific food items, while 'waste food' is a more general expression. The choice between the two depends on the level of specificity you want to convey.

Last updated: March 31, 2024

waste the food

This phrase is correct when referring to specific food items that are being wasted.

Use 'waste the food' when you want to emphasize the specific food items that are being wasted, such as 'Don't waste the food on your plate.'

Examples:

Please don't waste the food I cooked for you.
It's a shame to waste the food that was prepared for the party.

Show examples from the web [+]

I do not waste the food.
Don't waste the food.
Don't waste the food.
Healthcare is the second largest generator of waste after the food industry.
bio-waste, including food waste throughout the food chain.
food waste from the food services;
The Rio + 20 outcome recognised the need to significantly reduce post-harvest and other food losses and waste throughout the food supply chain.
Chapter 23: Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal fodder
vegetable waste from the food processing industry, if the heat generated is recovered,
At the same time the Commission should take legislative initiatives to reduce food waste throughout the food chain, including slaughter offal and swill the use or disposal of which is still not adequately regulated.
Q. Your report says that the food waste could reach 30% of food production
I told you to separate the food waste!
You saw the warning we got about the food waste right?
Most of the methods used involve separating the food waste from its packaging and using the contents to produce methane.
The method will make it possible both to reduce the volume of unused organic waste, which the food industry, small and large catering firms and consumers inevitably produce, and to increase fuel and chemical production.
The total annual amount of bio-waste in the EU is estimated at 76.5-102 tonnes for food and garden waste included in mixed municipal solid waste and up to 37 tonnes for waste from the food and drink industry.
Up to 100 million tonnes of kitchen waste and garden waste is produced in the European Union each year, and up to 37 million tonnes of waste from the food and drink industry.
Germany claims that 'it is not possible to trace the route taken by the slaughterhouse waste to food shops and consumers'.
Directives 2004/4/EC and 96/3/EC allow liquid oils and fats to be transported in tankers which have been used for transporting mineral oil and other toxic liquid waste, boosting the food companies' profits to the detriment of public health.
Just as Mr Lannoye said, we permit the rich world to over-produce, and waste, food at the same time as 800 million people are starving.

Alternatives:

Don't waste the food on your plate.
Stop wasting food.
Avoid wasting food.
Prevent food wastage.
Minimize food waste.

waste food

This phrase is correct when referring to food in a general sense that is being wasted.

Use 'waste food' when you want to talk about food wastage in a more general manner, such as 'We need to reduce the amount of food we waste.'