S3E17 Halving Food Waste by 2030

Halving Food Waste by 2030: A Conversation with Tristan Butt, CEO of End Food Waste Australia

In this podcast episode, Tristan Butt, the CEO of End Food Waste Australia, shares insights into his background and the organization's mission to halve food waste in Australia by 2030. Tristan discusses the economic and social impacts of food waste, highlighting Australia's annual waste of 7.6 million tons of food and a $37 billion economic cost. He explains the multi-faceted approach of End Food Waste Australia, which includes research, policy, business action, and consumer behavior. Tristan also touches on consumer campaigns like 'The Great Un Waste' and the importance of industry collaboration, including initiatives like the Australian Food Pact. He emphasizes the significant opportunity for businesses to save costs and improve profitability while contributing to environmental sustainability. The discussion also covers support for small businesses, the importance of benchmarking and reporting, and innovative ways to repurpose food waste.

01:35 The Mission to Halve Food Waste by 2030

02:36 Current Progress and Consumer Campaigns

07:11 Engaging Small Businesses in Food Waste Reduction

10:54 Innovative Uses for Food Waste

15:48 International Models and Future Plans

More About Tristan

Tristan Butt is a purpose-driven CEO and Board Director with 25+ years of leadership across food & beverage, FMCG, retail, and ecommerce in the UK, Europe, APAC, and the US.
He has led transformational growth at both global giants (L’Oréal, Unilever, Mars, Amazon, Woolworths) and high-growth ventures—responsible for portfolios spanning 100+ categories, 1,400+ stores, and $3B+ in revenue. His career bridges supplier and retailer, public and private, global and local—anchored by sharp commercial strategy, operational discipline, and an unrelenting customer focus.
As a leader, Tristan is recognised for building high-impact, values-aligned teams that move with pace, think boldly, and deliver lasting outcomes. He brings clarity, ambition, and rigour to complex challenges, empowering people to raise the bar - leaving organisations stronger than they were found.
Currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of End Food Waste Australia, Tristan is driving national food system transformation to deliver environmental, economic, and social impact.
He has also partnered with CEOs & Boards in scaling consumer brands through advisory, NED and investor roles.
He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) with a Law degree (LLB Hons) from the University of Birmingham UK.

Links:

https://www.honeyandfox.com.au/

https://thegreatunwaste.com.au/

https://endfoodwaste.com.au/

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