Food waste is a significant problem that has far-reaching consequences. According to the United Nations, roughly one-third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted every year. Yes, one-third! This equates to approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of food that never makes it onto our plates. While food waste is bad enough on its own, it also has a significant impact on our planet.
Why Does Food Waste Matter?
Hopefully, we can all agree that food waste is a massive drain on resources. Each time food is produced and then discarded, all the energy and resources that went into producing it are wasted. This includes not only the energy and water used to grow and transport the food, but also the emissions created during these processes. When food waste ends up in landfills, it contributes to the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that's even more damaging to the planet and atmosphere than carbon dioxide.
Food waste also has a significant financial impact, too. In the UK alone, it's estimated that households throw away £14 billion worth of food each year. This is money that could be spent on other things, or invested back into businesses to help them grow or become more efficient.
Food waste has a real human impact too. While we waste food, there are still millions of people around the world who go hungry every day. In the UK alone, the Trussell Trust, the UK's largest food bank network, gave out a record 2.5 million emergency food parcels in 2020/2021 - up 33% from the previous year. This is a clear indication that something has gone wrong with food production - food poverty is a growing problem and with population numbers rising it's only going to get worse. By reducing food waste, we can help to ensure that more food goes to those who need it and alleviate some of the pressures on food banks and other charities that support vulnerable communities.
How Can We All Get Involved?
Reducing food waste is not just an issue for households but for businesses too. SMEs can play a crucial role in reducing the food waste problem by implementing simple steps, such as planning ahead, educating their employees, using what they have, and donating any excess food. Take a look at Too Good To Go as an example.
At CarbonNow we help businesses identify areas where they can reduce waste and provide sensible and actionable advice on how to do so through our audit and reduction plan service.
As individuals, we can also take significant steps towards reducing food waste and carbon footprint. Here are some simple ways to get involved:
Plan ahead: By planning menus and ordering only what you need, you can reduce the amount of food that ends up going to waste. This can be as simple as making a shopping list before going to the supermarket or taking an inventory of what's already in your fridge and freezer before going out to buy more.
Use what you have: Before buying new ingredients, take a look at what you already have in the cupboards. This can help to reduce waste and save money too.
Store food correctly: Storing food correctly will keep it fresh for longer. For example, keep vegetables in the fridge and store dry items in airtight containers to prevent them from going off.
Get creative with your leftovers: Instead of throwing away leftovers, try to find creative ways to use them up. This could be as simple as making a stir-fry or soups with leftover vegetables or turning leftover roast chicken into sandwich fillings.
Donate excess food: If you have excess food that you can't use, consider donating it to a food bank or local charity. This can help to reduce waste while also doing some good in the community. Most big supermarkets have a collection point inside the shop and you don't have to have bought the items from that shop in order to donate.
We all have a role to play in reducing food waste and our carbon footprint. By making small changes in our daily lives, such as planning ahead, using what we have, storing food correctly, and donating excess food, we can contribute to a more sustainable future and help to build a better world for generations to come.
The journey to carbon neutrality starts with Measuring your carbon footprint and that's where our Carbon Audit can help. Let us do the hard work and categorise your emissions for you! Get in touch to arrange a no-obligation call, today. Drop us an email hello@carbonnow.co.uk