How Food Waste Affects the Environment: The True Cost of Food

We were all responsible for tossing out food that had gone bad in our refrigerator. Some of us do it more than others, but there is no one who can give to their heart that their households use every last meal that crosses their front door. So what’s the effect of us all wasting food? And how much food is actually wasted each year?

Here we aim to answer those questions and also highlight why food waste is so bad for the environment. We also highlight ways that we can all, therefore, reduce food waste as a result.

"Eliminating food waste is seen as a key way to combat climate change and keep global warming down."

How Much Food Is Wasted Every Year?Globally, the amount of food wasted each year amounts to the fact that if it were a country, it would be the third-largest culprit for greenhouse gas emissions. This is second to the United States and China - the world's factories and two of the most populous countries. In fact, it is estimated that of all the food grown around the world, a massive 33% of it is wasted. That equates to 1.3 billion tons of food wasted worldwide each year. Considering the amount of poverty and people living malnourished, there is a huge global imbalance when it comes to food production.

Why Is Food Waste So Bad?The idea that just by safely throwing a rotten apple or throwing away stale bread, we cause harm, may seem a little strong. However, by discarding foods you don’t eat, you will simply be buying more foods - thus indicating to suppliers that they are meeting a demand that is there. Suppliers continue to produce the same amount of food, and surplus, to ensure they can also meet any seasonal requirements.

The problem with overproduction is that it is inefficient energy and actually also consumes a lot of water, not to mention land. Ultimately, this results in too much CO2 being emitted in food production, which is bad news for climate change. As mentioned above, food production makes up as much as the third-largest emitting greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, 25% of the world’s fresh water grows food - yet so much of it ends up in our bins.

If people stopped wasting food and only ate what they needed, it is estimated that 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions caused by this unnecessary waste would be cut. Eliminating food waste is considered a key way to combat climate change and keep global warming down.

Also, don’t forget everything that also comes with foods that affect the environment. Most of our food is still packaged in plastic, which is often difficult to recycle. By buying only necessary foods, we drastically reduce our use of disposable plastics.

How to Reduce Food WasteConsidering that food waste can be so harmful to the environment, what can we all do to help correct this? The following tips can materially reduce how much food is dumped into your home.

Use a Food Delivery ServiceSome may think of delivering food kits as an extra expense they can’t afford. However, delivering cutlery is not as expensive as many of us think when we consider how much food we throw away when we buy food in the traditional way. That’s because a complete healthy meal delivery services only sends you the amount of food you need for a recipe. There’s no huge bag of gram flour that ends up lurking in the back of your closet - just enough for the food, you’re preparing. Buy what we need, so signal below in the supply chain to modify how much of a product needs to be produced.

Purchase Odd Fruit and VegetablesMany vegetables and fruits are grown around the world are thrown away because they do not fit shop aesthetic standards. Supermarkets of course only ask for fruits and vegetables that look a certain way, because that really sells on their shelves. However, fruits and vegetables do not actually taste different if they are larger, smaller or more voluptuous than is usually seen. Buying such things can therefore help minimize waste by buying foods that others have refused.

Make a Shopping ListIt may sound like a basic and obvious idea, but making a shopping list ensures that you don’t buy things that your household won’t be able to eat before they leave. Meal planning maybe a job, but your wallet will thank you if you make your shopping list knowing what meals you will be cooking each week. In addition, random foods won’t end up in your trolley either, so you buy only what you need.

Do a Cold and Cabinet ReviewIt is also helpful, before buying a list, to check what you have in your fridge or dining room before going to a supermarket. Knowing what you have meant that you will not copy any items, and may also encourage you to use what you have instead of buying

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