In this short post, we discuss food waste facts that will change the way you eat. We’ll also provide tips on how to reduce food waste in your own home.
Introduction
It’s estimated that a third of all food produced in the world is wasted. That’s 1.3 billion tons of food each year. Of that, 940 million tonnes is lost in production, while 350 million tonnes is lost during consumption. Water and energy resources are also wasted in the production of this meal.
Food waste is a major problem because 1) it’s incredibly harmful to the environment as it makes up 24% of carbon emissions; 2) it’s a moral problem because wasted food would have prevented malnutrition somewhere else.
There are many reasons why there’s so much food waste. For one, food production is often based on aesthetics. That means that retailers discard food that isn’t “perfect”, even though it’s perfectly edible. Another reason for food waste is that we simply cook or prepare too much food, and then end up throwing away the leftovers.
Whatever the reason, food waste is a big problem. Not only does it have an environmental impact (food waste is a leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions), but it also has a social and economic impact.
Here Are 7 Shocking Food Waste Facts Today
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think very much about the food you waste. After all, it’s just a little bit of this or that, right? Wrong. The truth is that food waste is a big problem, and it’s only getting worse.
Here are seven facts about food waste that will change the way you think about your eating habits:
1. Food waste is the single largest component of solid waste in landfills, accounting for more than 20 percent.
2. In developing countries, most food waste occurs at the production stage due to a lack of infrastructure and access to markets. In developed countries, however, up to 40 percent of food waste takes place at the retail or consumer level.
3. Approximately 60 percent of the food we waste is carbohydrates, including bread, rice, and pasta. Fruits and vegetables are also wasted in large quantities, accounting for around 26 percent of global food waste.
4. It is estimated that if we could reduce our current levels of food loss and waste by just 50 percent, it would be enough to feed an additional 1 billion people worldwide.
5. Global food waste is estimated to have a carbon footprint of 3.3 gigatons per year, which is the equivalent of Germany’s annual emissions.
6. Food waste, according to the FAO, would be the world’s third-largest producer of greenhouse gases, behind only the United States and China.
7. Reducing food waste could also save businesses billions of dollars each year. For example, supermarkets in the United States alone could save $15 billion annually if they cut their wasted foods by just 15 percent.
These mind blowing food facts make it clear that we need to do something about global food waste – and fast! otherwise, we will continue to see negative environmental, social, and economic consequences on a global scale.
These facts may be shocking, but they’re also eye-opening. Just by making a few small changes in our eating habits, we can make a big difference in the fight against hunger and climate change.
How to reduce food waste in your own home
After knowing such mind-blowing food facts, here are some tips on how you can start reducing food waste in your own home:
1. Plan your meals: one of the best ways to reduce food waste is to plan your meals in advance and only buy the ingredients you need. This way, you can avoid impulse purchases and make sure that all of your food gets used up.
2. Use up leftovers: instead of letting leftovers go to waste, get creative and use them up in a new dish or freeze them for another time.
3. Shop your pantry first: before heading to the grocery store, take inventory of what you already have on hand. This way, you can avoid buying duplicate items or items that you won’t end up using.
4. Store food properly: proper storage is key to keeping food fresh and preventing waste. Be sure to check expiration dates and follow storage instructions on the packaging.
5. Freeze items before they go bad: if you find that you’re not going to be able to use an item before it goes bad, consider freezing it for later use. This is a great way to prevent wasting fresh produce or meat that’s about to expire.
6. Donate unused items: You may want to consider giving your unwanted non-perishable food goods to a soup kitchen or food bank in your area. You can use them instead of throwing them away this way.
7. Educate yourself and others about food waste: finally, one of the best ways to reduce food waste is simply to educate yourself and others about the issue. The more people are aware of the problem of food waste, the more likely they are to be mindful of it in their own lives.
What are long term issues of not resolving food waste?
There are several reasons why food waste is an issue that needs to be addressed.
- First, it’s a huge waste of natural resources. The water, land, and other resources used to produce food that ends up being thrown away could be used to grow other food or support other life.
- Second, food waste also results in a lot of greenhouse gas emissions. When an organic matter like food decomposes in landfills, it emits methane, a gas that contributes to climate change.
- Third, wasting food is also wasting money. In the United States alone, families throw away an estimated $1,600 worth of food each year. Not only does this add up to a lot of wasted money, but it also means that people are going hungry while others are throwing away perfectly good food.
Conclusion
The problem is only getting worse: according to some estimates, food waste could increase by 50% by 2030. We need to take action now to address this growing problem. Composting food waste is only one of many ways we may reduce our wasteful consumption. However, real progress can only be made with the combined efforts of individuals, corporations, and governments.
