Food waste is a critical issue affecting both the environment and the economy. Every year, billions of tons of food are thrown away, leading to a significant loss of resources, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and negative impacts on the world's population. But how big is the problem and what can be done to address it? We'll see the data and explore some options in this blog.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about one-third of the food produced globally every year, which is equivalent to 1.3 billion tons, is lost or wasted. Representing an enormous economic loss of $940 billion annually which could feed three billion people. Food waste is mostly from retailers and consumers or caused by poor infrastructure and supply chain management. In the United States alone, food waste accounts for ~30-40% of the food supply. Roughly 133 billion pounds or $161 billion worth of food annually, coming mostly from households, restaurants, grocery stores, and farms.
Food waste directly affects the environment. When food is discarded, it ends up in landfills where it breaks down and releases methane, a 28-times more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide that contributes to climate change due to its heat-trapping ability. Reducing food waste will be a valuable tool in mitigating climate change as well as maximizing our resources as food waste represents a waste of resources such as water, energy, and land.
Other ways that can be explored to reduce food waste include:
Food waste is a global problem that requires immediate attention. With the magnitude of the problem, we all share a responsibility to take urgent action. Let us do our part in the comfort of our homes with SCD Probiotics' ready-start kit. This is all you need to start making a positive impact on the environment and the economy.