According to the International Panel on Climate Change, food loss and waste contributed between eight and ten percent of global warming emissions between 2010 and 2016. Another study, Climate Change and Land, estimated that food waste and loss contributed between five and ten percent to the global warming problem between 2000 and 2015. The reasons for food waste vary by country and the level of development.
Methane
The methane produced by food waste is harmful to the environment. It takes up space in landfills and contributes to global warming. In addition, it cannot be fed to hungry people. Luckily, there are ways to limit methane emissions. The DC DPW is doing its part to reduce this dangerous gas.
One third of the food we produce goes to waste before reaching our plates. This waste results in emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas twenty-one times more powerful than carbon dioxide. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, food loss and waste accounts for eight to 10 percent of global warming emissions.
The EPA is investing $2 million in food loss and waste solutions across the country. It is partnering with 11 organizations to reduce methane emissions and reduce the number of pounds of food sent to landfills. DC Public Works is among the organizations that will receive funding through the EPA.
Costs
As the global population continues to rise, the costs of food waste are becoming a serious environmental and economic concern. Governments, businesses, and activists are all working to get more food on our tables, but the problem is still very real. According to the United Nations, about one third of the world’s food supply is never consumed. In the United States alone, 40 percent of food produced is lost or wasted. In 2012 alone, $165 billion in food was wasted, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. This amount represents a tremendous waste of resources.
There are a number of reasons why food waste is a problem. For example, the cost of producing wasted food takes up to 20% of the resources in the food system. The majority of this wasted food is sent to landfills. Furthermore, it releases greenhouse gases into the environment. The most common cause of food waste is human error at the manufacturing level. This can result from poor training and lack of standard operating procedures.
One recent study found that American consumers wasted about one quarter of their daily food budget. This equates to $130 per day. In addition to wasted food, consumers also wasted dairy products, grains, and sweets. These items were the highest in waste, followed by meat and seafood and vegetables. Other foods, like nonalcoholic beverages, represented less than five percent of the food budget each day.
Food wastage is not only a major economic and social problem, but it also has an environmentally damaging impact. The Food Wastage Footprint project, for example, quantified the impact of food wastage on water, air, land, and biodiversity. It also included best practices on reducing food wastage. By reducing waste, we can improve the quality of our food supply, as well as contribute to our food security. Further, the reduction of food waste will also help mitigate climate change.
Various technologies exist to capture the energy contained in food waste and convert it to energy. Anaerobic decomposition, for example, releases methane, which is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Approximately twenty percent of US landfills emit methane, making landfills the second largest source of methane. By diverting food from landfills, we can reduce these emissions. Also, industrial use programs that convert food oil to fuel can reduce fossil fuel energy consumption and cut GHG emissions. Composting of food waste is also an excellent way to enrich soil, serve as a natural fertilizer, and reduce waste disposal costs.
Reducing food waste
A global effort is required to combat food waste and reduce the amount of food thrown away. This effort must involve farmers, commercial businesses, governments, NGOs, and the general public. It should also include investments in waste treatment infrastructure. Collection and redistribution systems must be in place, and further research should be done to find the best ways to recycle food waste.
Currently, approximately one-third of all food produced worldwide is wasted. This means that about 1.3 billion tons of food is lost before it reaches consumers. In poorer countries, food loss occurs earlier in the production and distribution process. In middle and high-income countries, food waste is largely the responsibility of households. In Canada and Europe, for example, 53% of food is wasted in the consumption process.
Food waste can be avoided if it is planned ahead of time. People who plan meals in advance often stick to those plans, and this helps them save money by reducing food waste. Additionally, using up food that is already in the house will reduce the need to go grocery shopping. A great example of this is the concept of cooking from almost nothing.
Food waste is a big problem because it uses resources and is also detrimental to the environment. Thirty percent of the food we produce is wasted, and this waste wastes energy, water, and other resources. It also contributes to environmental pollution, and contributes to climate change. It is estimated that the amount of food wasted each year is equal to the weight of 5.5 million school buses.
In addition, reducing food waste will save money as well as help people in need. FAO’s director-general made a few suggestions to combat this global problem. Changes should be made at every stage of the food supply chain. The farming community should focus on balancing supply and demand in order to minimize the use of natural resources.
A growing number of countries are measuring the amount of food being wasted. Currently, 14 countries collect household data that is compatible with the Food Waste Index. These data can be used to develop policies and strategies to reduce food waste.