
Food waste refers to food that is
fit for consumption but is discarded, often at the retail or consumer level.
This can include:
· Leftovers
that are thrown away
· Expired
products that are not used in time
· Over-preparation
of food that leads to excess
The Common Misconception
One of the biggest misconceptions
surrounding food waste arises from its confusion with the related term
"food loss," making it crucial to clarify the distinctions between
these two concepts.
Food Waste: Occurs at
the end of the food supply chain (retail and consumption stages). It involves
food that is perfectly edible but is discarded.
Food Loss: Happens
earlier in the supply chain (production, post-harvest, and processing stages).
It includes food that spoils or is lost before it reaches the consumer.
Why food waste matters
Food waste has numerous effects,
but they can most notably be clustered into environmental, social, and economic
impacts.
Environmental Impact: Food
waste has a significant environmental footprint. When food is discarded, it
often ends up in landfills where it decomposes and produces methane, a potent
greenhouse gas. This contributes to climate change and global warming.
Additionally, the resources used to produce, process, and transport food—such
as water, energy, and land—are wasted when food is thrown away. Reducing food
waste can help conserve these precious resources and reduce our overall
environmental impact.
Social Impact: Food waste
also has profound social implications. While millions of tons of food are
wasted each year, millions of people around the world suffer from hunger and
food insecurity. By reducing food waste, we can help bridge the gap between
surplus and scarcity, ensuring that more people have access to the food they
need. Initiatives to redistribute surplus food to those in need can make a
significant difference in communities.
Economic Impact: The economic
costs of food waste are staggering. Households, businesses, and governments
spend billions of dollars each year on food that is never eaten. This includes
the costs of production, transportation, and disposal. By minimizing food
waste, we can save money and make our food systems more efficient. Businesses
can improve their bottom line by reducing waste, and households can save on
grocery bills.
The Shocking Figures
Total Food Waste:
Approximately 931 million tonnes of food are wasted each year.
Sources of Food Waste: The biggest contributors to Food waste are households, Food services & Retails, with household being the largest contributors to the issue.
· Households: 61% of
food waste comes from households.
· Food
Service: 26% of food waste is generated by the food service sector.
· Retail: 13% of
food waste occurs in the retail sector.
Per Capita Waste: On
average, each person wastes about 79 kilograms of food annually. In some
countries like the USA, this is equated to an annual financial loss of about
$1,866.
Environmental Impact: Food loss
and waste contribute to 8-10% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions.
Economic Cost: The
global economy loses approximately USD 1 trillion annually due to food waste.
Hunger Paradox: Despite
the high levels of food waste, 783 million people around the world are going
hungry.

Targets set by the UN, EU & USA to Combat Food waste
Still not convinced. The issue of
food waste is so critical that it is recognized as a global problem. In fact,
the UN, EU, and USA have all established targets to tackle this pressing
phenomenon.

Food Waste in Our Homes
Households play a crucial role in
the alarming statistics surrounding food waste. Globally, approximately
one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted, amounting to about 1.3
billion tonnes annually. Within this context, households are significant contributors,
with a staggering 40% of the food they purchase ending up in the trash. This
equates to an average loss of $1,500 per household annually, representing a
severe financial burden and leading to increased grocery bills and higher waste
disposal costs as municipalities grapple with the consequences of this waste.
Beyond the economic implications,
households endure unpleasant smells from decaying food and face the growth of
unwanted pests, such as cockroaches, which can pose health risks and
necessitate additional pest control measures. Moreover, food waste decomposing
in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas, contributing to climate
change.
By addressing their food waste
issues, households can make a significant contribution to environmental
sustainability. Reducing food waste helps lower methane emissions from
landfills and conserves resources such as water, energy, and labor.
Additionally, redirecting excess food to those in need can help combat hunger
and improve food security.
With the understanding that
households are the biggest contributors to food waste, accounting for over 60%
of the total, it is crucial to understand why this happens. According to the UN
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the leading causes of household food
waste include:
Improper Storage: Food
often goes bad before it is used due to improper storage. This can be caused by
a lack of visibility in refrigerators, partially used ingredients, and
misjudged food needs.
Over-Preparing: Cooking
or serving too much food is a common issue. Portion sizes have increased over
time, and large meals often include more food than can be finished.
Additionally, people frequently forget to eat leftovers, which then get thrown
away.
Large Portions: This is
especially common in restaurants, where increased portion sizes contribute
significantly to waste. Meals are often left uneaten, and edible leftovers are
frequently left behind. All-you-can-eat buffets are particularly wasteful, as
extra food cannot legally be reused or donated due to health code restrictions.
The practice of keeping buffets fully stocked during business hours, rather
than allowing items to run out near closing, also creates waste.
Date Label Confusion: Many
people prematurely discard food due to confusion over the meaning of date
labels (e.g., "sell by," "best by," "use by").
Overbuying : Sales on
unusual products and promotions that encourage impulse and bulk purchases often
lead consumers to buy items that do not fit into their regular meal plans and
spoil before they can be used.
Poor Planning: Without
meal plans and shopping lists, consumers often make inaccurate estimates of
what and how many ingredients they will use during the week. Unplanned
restaurant meals or food delivery can also lead to food at home going bad
before it can be used.
Lack of Freezing :
Confusion about whether a product is suitable for freezing and how best to
freeze it to maintain its quality and storage life can lead to food spoilage.
By addressing these issues,
households can significantly reduce their food waste, saving money and
resources while also contributing to environmental sustainability.
The negative impact we champion
Certainly, losing money from wasted food appears to be the most pressing concern for many, as it is a regular experience. At +Green, we have made it our goal to highlight the environmental impact of food waste, an aspect that is often overlooked or misunderstood in terms of how our consumption habits contribute to pressing environmental issues, such as erratic weather patterns. We further emphasize this impact by focusing on beloved ecosystems and endangered species that are at risk of extinction due to our wasteful behaviors.
Threats to Endangered Species
The destruction of habitats and ecosystems due to food waste has a direct impact on endangered species. As agricultural expansion and pollution degrade natural habitats, many species lose their homes and sources of food. For example, the deforestation of rainforests for agricultural purposes threatens species like the orangutan, which relies on these forests for survival. Similarly, pollution from agricultural runoff can destroy aquatic habitats, endangering species such as the freshwater dolphin. By addressing food waste, we can reduce the pressure on these critical habitats and help protect the species that depend on them.


Threats to Places
Food waste significantly contributes to the destruction of ecosystems. The resources used to produce food that ultimately goes to waste—such as water, land, and energy—are immense. For instance, vast amounts of water are used to irrigate crops, and large tracts of land are cleared for agriculture. When this food is wasted, the resources used in its production are also wasted, leading to unnecessary habitat loss and degradation. This process disrupts natural ecosystems, reduces biodiversity, and alters the balance of our environment. By reducing food waste, we can help preserve these vital ecosystems and the services they provide.