Food waste is no longer simply an environmental issue. It is a social, economic, humanitarian and sustainability challenge that impacts communities, governments, businesses and future generations worldwide.

Back in 2015, I had the opportunity to work with OzHarvest Adelaide as part of a Community Service Learning placement through the University of South Australia, contributing to the global Think.Eat.Save initiative as an Event Specialist.

At the time, the placement focused on food rescue, environmental sustainability, behavioural change, stakeholder engagement and community awareness. Looking back more than a decade later, many of the issues being discussed then have now evolved into major global conversations surrounding ESG, circular economies, sustainability frameworks, social impact, climate resilience and corporate responsibility.

This experience became far more than a university placement. It fundamentally changed the way I approached sustainability, waste reduction, consumer behaviour, stakeholder engagement and the relationship between communities and environmental responsibility.

Understanding the Scale of Food Waste

OzHarvest has long been recognised as one of Australia’s leading food rescue organisations, rescuing quality excess food that would otherwise end up in landfill and redistributing it to people in need.

The organisation’s mission to “Rescue, Educate and Engage” reflects a broader movement focused on reducing food waste while supporting vulnerable communities through practical and community-driven initiatives.

At the time of the original placement, OzHarvest had already:
• delivered millions of meals across Australia
• partnered with thousands of food donors
• supported hundreds of charities and agencies
• contributed to broader global discussions around food security and sustainability

The placement also highlighted the significant environmental impact of food waste, including:
• methane emissions from landfill
• wasted water and agricultural resources
• unnecessary packaging and transport waste
• economic inefficiencies across supply chains
• growing concerns around food insecurity

These conversations remain highly relevant in 2026 as governments, industries and organisations continue to navigate sustainability targets, ESG reporting obligations and circular economy strategies.

Think.Eat.Save – From Awareness Campaign to Behavioural Change

The Think.Eat.Save campaign, supported globally through organisations including UNEP and FAO, aimed to shift public thinking around consumption, food waste and environmental responsibility.

What stood out most during the placement was how behavioural change often begins with very small, practical actions.

The initiative encouraged communities to:
• reduce avoidable food waste
• rethink consumption habits
• improve recycling and composting practices
• support sustainable purchasing behaviours
• understand the broader environmental impact of waste

This early exposure to community-based behavioural change would later influence my broader work across stakeholder engagement, infrastructure communications, social impact assessment and strategic communications within complex projects and government programs.

Community Engagement Beyond Awareness

One of the most valuable lessons from OzHarvest was understanding that successful community engagement goes beyond simply sharing information.

People connect with:
• lived experiences
• practical solutions
• shared values
• trust
• visible action
• meaningful participation

The OzHarvest model demonstrated how organisations can successfully combine:
• humanitarian outcomes
• sustainability objectives
• volunteer engagement
• education programs
• stakeholder collaboration
• public awareness campaigns

This balance between environmental responsibility and social connection remains highly relevant today across infrastructure, energy, government and corporate sustainability programs.

Personal Reflection: Lifestyle Changes & Long-Term Impact

The placement also had a direct impact on my personal lifestyle and consumption habits.

Following the program, I became significantly more conscious of:
• household waste management
• food storage and reuse
• reducing plastic consumption
• sustainable shopping practices
• recycling and green waste separation
• community responsibility and environmental footprint

Simple behavioural shifts included:
• reducing household landfill waste
• introducing green waste separation systems
• reusing containers and packaging
• limiting single-use plastics
• using reusable shopping bags and trolleys
• becoming more conscious of food purchasing habits

These changes may appear small individually, however collectively they reinforce the broader message behind the Think.Eat.Save movement: sustainable change occurs through consistent everyday decisions.

Lessons Still Relevant in 2026

Looking back, this placement also reinforced several professional lessons that remain highly relevant today across communications, stakeholder engagement and social impact practice:

1. People Support What They Understand

Clear communication and relatable storytelling remain critical when driving behavioural change.

2. Community Trust Matters

Whether working in sustainability, infrastructure, government or energy, trust and transparency remain central to engagement success.

3. Sustainability Requires Participation

Real change requires collaboration between organisations, communities, governments and individuals.

4. Social Impact and Environmental Impact Are Interconnected

Food insecurity, waste reduction, public health and environmental sustainability are closely linked social challenges.

5. Small Actions Create Larger Cultural Shifts

Long-term behavioural change often starts through visible, local and practical community initiatives.

Final Reflection

More than ten years later, I still consider this experience one of the early foundations that shaped my approach to strategic communications, stakeholder engagement and social impact.

The OzHarvest placement highlighted how meaningful engagement, practical education and community-driven initiatives can create both immediate and long-term impact.

As industries continue evolving around ESG, sustainability and social responsibility, the lessons from Think.Eat.Save remain incredibly relevant:
real change begins when communities are informed, engaged and empowered to participate.

-Industry commentary and insights written by Tarnia Riggs.

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