By Catherine Qiu
33% of all the food produced is wasted, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (“Food Waste in America: Facts and Statistics''). Wasted food often ends up rotting away in fields and landfills. There are a plethora of environmental impacts of food waste, but also potential solutions.
Food waste can negatively impact the environment and worsen the effects of climate change: “excess amounts of greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation and heat the earth’s atmosphere, causing global warming and climate change” (“The Environmental Impact of Food Waste”). Food waste may increase greenhouse gas emissions such as the strongly potent methane gas, about 30 times more toxic than carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles. Wasted food also means large quantities of wasted water, fuel, and energy that were used in production and transportation (“Food Waste in America: Facts and Statistics”).
Food waste can come from packaging, whole food, or food scraps. Starting from food production, companies may throw away excess products or farming goods. Secondly, restaurants often throw away many food products, due to ordering or making too much food. In fact, in the book “Waste: Uncovering the Global Food Scandal”, the author Tristram Stuart documents his experience of eating food solely from the trash bins behind bakeries and grocery stores for quite a long time. Everyday, Stuart was able to find fresh (often even packaged) food that was going to waste (Stuart). According to Foodprint, households create the most food waste, closely followed by restaurants and businesses, at least in the United States (“Food Waste Is a Massive Problem-Here's Why”).
On the individual level, households could buy products through programs such as Misfits Market (a program that sells blemished yet fresh food at discounted prices). In addition, at restaurants and homes, individuals can try to estimate how much food they will eat, to avoid excessive food waste. Companies, likewise, can contribute to decreasing food waste; The company Ambrosia created a new cleaning product called Veele out of food scraps. Many other companies are developing biofuels and bioplastics from food waste (“Food Waste in America in 2021”). In addition, potential solutions may include implementing laws and regulations to promote saving or donating food and discouraging food waste.
Global food waste may accelerate the effects of global warming and may also waste a variety of resources. Individuals, small businesses, and larger corporations alike can help decrease the amount of food wasted, to help with pressing food insecurity and environmental issues.
Works Cited
“The Environmental Impact of Food Waste.” Move For Hunger, moveforhunger.org/the-environmental-impact-of-food-waste.
“Food Waste in America in 2021: Statistics & Facts: RTS.” Recycle Track Systems, www.rts.com/resources/guides/food-waste-america/.
“Food Waste in America: Facts and Statistics (2021 Update).” Rubicon, 1 Mar. 2021, www.rubicon.com/blog/food-waste-facts/#:~:text=Each%20day%20in%20the%20United,Department%20of%20Agriculture%20(USDA).
“Food Waste Is a Massive Problem-Here's Why.” FoodPrint, 11 June 2021, foodprint.org/issues/the-problem-of-food-waste/.
Stuart, Tristram. Waste: Uncovering the Global Food Scandal. Penguin Books, 2009.
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