Global Food Wastage, how much money is this costing us? %

Did you know that global food wastage harms environment, but it can also be a major drain on your wallet?

According to the United Nations, one-third of food produced in the world is wasted or not suitable for sale in our supermarkets. That’s a staggering amount that could be put for better use, such as feeding the hungry or reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But food wastage can also hit you where it hurts the most, your wallet! so, the question is, global food wastage, how much money is this costing us?

When you throw away food, you’re essentially throwing away money, with the rising cost of food, which can really add up over time!

The Shocking Statistics of Food Waste

Approximately one-third of all the food produced in the world is wasted, that’s over 1.3 billion tonnes of food that never reaches our plates every year. Meanwhile, millions of people around the world suffer from hunger and malnutrition. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the staggering statistics of global food wastage, how much money it’s costing us, and five key strategies we can implement to reduce food waste.

Global Food Waste Statistics

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), there is a disheartening statistic that approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption wasted on a global scale. This staggering figure highlights the urgent need for concerted efforts to address food loss and waste throughout the entire food supply chain. By tackling this issue, we can make considerable progress towards a more sustainable and efficient global food system. This amounts to approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of food each year, which is enough to feed three billion people.

Food wastage also has significant environmental impacts, it contributes to the production of greenhouse gases, water pollution, and land degradation. When food is wasted, all the resources that went into producing it, such as water, energy, and labor, are also wasted.

How much money is this costing us?

Food wastage also comes at a hefty financial cost.

The Boston Consulting Group estimates that global food wastage costs $1.2 trillion each year. This includes the cost of wasted food, as well as the resources used to produce, process, transport, and store it. In the United States alone, the cost of food waste is estimated at $218 billion annually.

Key Strategies to Reduce Food Waste

Plan your meals: One of the simplest ways to reduce food waste is to plan your meals in advance. Make a list of the ingredients you need and stick to it when you go grocery shopping.
Store food properly: Proper food storage can help prolong its shelf life and prevent spoilage. This includes storing food at the right temperature, keeping it in airtight containers, and using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method to use older stock first.
Get creative with leftovers: Don’t let leftovers go to waste. Use them in soups, stews, casseroles, or as ingredients in new dishes. You can also freeze leftovers for later use. (For companies, please refer to your food safety plan or polices)
Donate excess food: If you have food that you can’t use, consider donating it to a food bank or charity. This can help reduce food waste and benefit those in need.
Compost: Composting can help divert food waste from landfills, where it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Composting turns food waste into nutrient-rich soil that can be used to grow new foods.

Want to learn more and find out how you can reduce waste?

Effects on our Environment

Global food wastage has significant environmental impacts. Here are some of the effects that food wastage is having on our environment:

Greenhouse gas emissions:

When food waste ends up in landfills, it decomposes and releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in terms of its warming potential. The decomposition of food waste in landfills accounts for around 6-8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Water and energy use:

The production of food requires large amounts of water and energy. When food is wasted, all of the resources that went into producing it are wasted. This puts unnecessary strain on our water and energy resources.

Land use:

The impact of food waste extends to the resources utilised in its production, cultivation, and transportation. This wastage not only undermines the efforts to ensure food security but also has broader environmental implications, such as increased water usage, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Recognising the resource depletion underscores the urgency to address this issue and strive for a more sustainable and efficient use of resources within the food system. This can lead to land degradation, deforestation, and soil erosion.

Biodiversity:

The overproduction and wastage of food can also have an impact on biodiversity. When land is cleared for agriculture, it leads to the loss of habitats for wildlife, which does have negative impacts on biodiversity.

Food security:

Finally, food wastage does also have negative impacts on food security. Approximately one-third of all food produced in the world is wasted, these resources that could be used to feed people are being compromised. This is particularly concerning given the number of people around the world who suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Overall, food wastage is having significant and far-reaching environmental impacts.

By reducing food waste, we can help mitigate these impacts and promote a more sustainable future for our planet.

Global food wastage is a major issue that has significant environmental, social, and economic impacts. It’s estimated that roughly one-third of food wasted globally amounts to approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of food each year. This comes at a significant financial cost of $1.2 trillion annually, as well as negative impacts on the environment, including greenhouse gas emissions, water and energy use, land degradation, and biodiversity.

By taking steps to reduce food waste in our homes, businesses, and communities, like planning our meals, storing food, being creative, donating excess food, and composting, we can all do our part to tackle food waste and build a more sustainable future.