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That’s huge! Massive negative impact on climate and nature as well! „Food waste is a global tragedy,” Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP, said. “Millions will go hungry today as food is wasted across the world. Not only is this a major development issue, but the impacts of such unnecessary waste are causing substantial costs to the climate and nature.” The study found in 2022 there were 1.05 billion tonnes of food waste generated, which amounted to almost one-fifth of all food available to consumers. Of this food waste, 60 percent was generated at the household level, 28 percent at the food services level and 12 percent at the retail level, according to a press release. Source: https://lnkd.in/dfzMVtbZ #sustainability #climatechange #foodwaste

Today is the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. Why is this important for business? Food waste is an important social, environmental, and economic problem. Globally, 1.3 billion tons of food go to waste, while 1 in 11 people (nearly 690 million) face hunger. Meanwhile, all the resources that go into producing uneaten food, like labor, natural resources, and fertilizer, are wasted. So the bad news is there’s a long way to go when it comes to reducing food waste. But there’s also opportunity for innovation. The market for products from food waste is valued at nearly $47 billion, and companies across sectors are involved in finding solutions. In this article, Heeseung K. unpacks: - the challenge of food waste - the range of solutions - some businesses and initiatives making a difference - tips for implementing change in your organization Not in the food or agriculture business? No problem. Every company can take action on food waste -- especially if you're looking for ways to live up to sustainability commitments. "Food waste is a huge, low-hanging fruit within those businesses even if it’s not their day-to-day operations" according to Alexandria Coari, vice president of capital, innovation, and engagement at food waste nonprofit ReFED. Learn how you can get started: https://lnkd.in/g47PhyfY #foodwaste #climate #sustainability #sustainablebusiness #climateaction

The United Nations, as part of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has targeted the reduction of food waste by 50% by 2030. This goal focuses on minimizing waste not only at the retail and consumer levels but also throughout the production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses. Food waste significantly contributes to climate change, generating approximately eight percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing food loss and waste is considered a "critical tool" for nations in their fight against climate change. Food wastage has a profound impact on biodiversity, exacerbating the negative effects of mono-cropping and agricultural expansion into wild areas, which result in biodiversity loss. Furthermore, food waste leads to deforestation for crops that will never be consumed, agricultural runoff causing dead zones in aquatic ecosystems, and disruption of food webs when certain predators shift towards consuming human trash. To meet the 2030 targets, it is crucial for individuals and communities to rethink their approach to shopping, cooking, storing, reusing, and valuing food. Here are some steps that households can take to reduce food waste: ✅Meal Planning: Plan your weekly meals before grocery shopping, creating a precise shopping list to minimize excess purchases. ✅Smart Storage: Extend food shelf life with quality storage containers and proper storage techniques. ✅Leftover Creativity: Transform leftovers into new dishes, such as using leftover rice for fried rice or vegetable scraps for flavorful broth. ✅Expiry Date Understanding: Understand that "best by" and "use by" dates are flexible; trust your senses and use your judgment. ✅Portion Control: Serve smaller portions to reduce food waste, and take seconds if needed. ✅Composting: Transform unavoidable food scraps into nutrient-rich soil by starting a composting routine. ✅Support Food Recovery: Assist organizations that rescue surplus food and distribute it to those in need through volunteering or donations. ✅Raise Awareness: Promote awareness about food waste and advocate for policies that reduce waste on a broader scale. As the world works toward a more sustainable future, these actions at the individual and community levels are essential to achieving the UN's target of halving food waste by 2030 and mitigating its adverse effects on the environment and biodiversity. #ClimateSolutions #KenEco

The world produces enough food to feed everyone, yet millions go hungry while billions of pounds of sustenance are squandered. This paradox is a stark indictment of our food systems. Food waste, a silent crisis, casts a long shadow on our planet, impacting economies, societies, and the environment. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gBD6H3du As waste management consultants, HPG Consulting is committed to helping businesses and organizations reduce food waste and build a more sustainable future. Book an appointment and let’s discuss your project. Talk to us at +91 93132 08383 #FoodWaste #Sustainability #WasteManagement #ZeroWaste #Environment #ClimateAction #GreenInitiative #EcoFriendly #SaveThePlanet #FoodSecurity #ResponsibleConsumption #CircularEconomy #SustainableBusiness #GreenBusiness #HPGConsulting #WasteReduction #FoodIndustry #SupplyChain #SustainabilityExperts #WasteAudit #ReduceReuseRecycle #Composting #EnvironmentalImpact #BusinessSustainability #CorporateSocialResponsibility #FoodLoss #FoodSecurity

In 2022, the world wasted a staggering 1 billion meals per day. This is happening at a time when billions of hungry people are living on a few dollars a day, while a sizeable minority enjoys a life of opulence. It's a stark reminder of the grotesque inequity that exists in the world today. We can't continue to live as if the Earth and humanity have no worth. We must act now to reduce food waste, work for a more equitable and just world, and promote ecological sustainability. #food #inequity #sustainability Learn more about global food waste and how we can work towards a more sustainable future at https://lnkd.in/dtAJvsUP.

https://lnkd.in/d9r_75Dp Let's keep moving to reduce food waste. With Regina Tchelly, Embrapa Alimentos e Territórios, Embrapa, United Nations. #sustainability #publicpolicy #foodsystems #zerowaste

In time for International #Compost Awareness Week: The 2024 UN Food Waste Index report found that a BILLION meals are wasted every single day, and a TRILLION dollars worth of food gets thrown out every year across the globe. The fact that #foodwaste is a major problem is NOT news. Every study, from this UN report to NYC's 2023 waste study to Great Forest's own global waste characterization report (the largest analysis of waste audit data from 100+ buildings worldwide) comes to the same conclusion. If we want to reduce waste globally, we need to address organics, including food waste. Every plan to move towards #ZeroWaste and a circular economy cannot ignore organic waste. Does your business have a plan for organics? https://lnkd.in/erh--eab

Check out the UN Environment Programme's 2024 food waste index report. Some key points: - 19% of all food available to consumers was wasted in 2022. *Another* 13% was lost in the supply chain. - 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions comes from food waste and loss. That's almost 5x what airplanes generate. - Food waste is a problem *everywhere*. High-income, upper-middle-income, and low-middle income countries differ in observed food waste by just 7 kg/person/year. At Hazel Technologies, we've treated billions of pounds of produce and saved hundreds of millions of pounds of food from going to waste. If you're a grower, packer, shipper or retailer, reach out to us and we'll be happy to talk about how we can help your bottom line while doing our part to fight food waste.

🌍 The latest UNEP Food Waste Index Report for 2024 sheds light on a sobering reality: in 2022, a staggering 1.05 billion tonnes of food went to waste worldwide. This alarming figure underscores the critical importance of immediate and concerted efforts to combat food waste on a global scale. 🥦 Food waste not only represents a significant loss of resources but also exacerbates issues such as hunger, environmental degradation, and economic inefficiency. It's time for us to collectively address this pressing issue and work towards sustainable solutions. Read Details👇 #FoodWaste #Sustainability #GlobalAction #UNReport #climatechange #GHG #hungry https://lnkd.in/euNV8wRw

How can a circular economy approach reduce food waste - and even create value from it? 🍎 ♻ In the UK alone, approximately 9.5 million tonnes of food are wasted annually, costing the economy £19 billion. The United Nations estimates that globally, one third of all food produced is either lost or wasted each year. And with global food demand projected to increase between 70% and 110% by 2050, there is an urgent need to address the challenge of food loss and waste. Circular economy solutions for food production are crucial in helping to address the challenge. Unlike the traditional linear economy, where resources are extracted, used and discarded, a circular bioeconomy aims to minimise food loss and utilise unavoidable waste as feedstock for sustainable manufacturing and renewable energy production. When it comes to food production, a circular economy offers a wealth of potential in: ·      A more resilient food system with fewer food shortages ·      Resource and biodiversity conservation ·      Food loss reduction and food waste valorisation ·      Promoting a sustainable agricultural system and wider bioeconomy ·      Energy efficiency ·      Economic and job prosperity in rural communities ·      Climate change mitigation Transitioning to a circular economy for food production is not just a necessity but a strategic opportunity to create a more sustainable, resilient and equitable food system. By reducing waste, conserving resources and promoting sustainable practices, a circular approach ensures that future generations can continue to meet their food needs without compromising the health of the planet. Want to join expert stakeholders from across academia, industry, NGOs and government to explore and discuss this critical challenge and shape future investments around food loss and waste? Join our community event. 📅 Wed 29 Nov and Thu 14 Dec 2023, 10am-1pm GMT, online REGISTER INTEREST: https://lnkd.in/e6KcaGZk #FoodWaste #CircularEconomy