We can stop food waste with Zero Waste Systems.
Photo: Shutterstock via CGstrein. Photo: Shutterstock via CGstrein.
In the United States, food waste is estimated to be between 125 and 160 billion pounds per year. Where does all this food waste end up? It’s in a landfill where it is buried beneath mounds of toxic trash, eventually breaking down and emitting methane. Landfills emit so much methane that they are the third largest source of climate-damaging emissions in the U.S.
The environmental impact of food waste doesn’t stop there. When we waste food, we are reducing precious resources like water. Agriculture in the U.S. is responsible for 80%-90 % of water consumption. In addition, when farmers throw away edible food or waste sold foods, they are wasting all the resources used to produce those crops. Unused food has a huge economic impact, with an estimated $218 billion in losses each year.
How did we get to throw out so much food in the first place? Several factors contribute to the increasing amount of food wasted in America. We will examine the reasons for food waste and provide solutions to help us solve this problem.
Food Waste Facts & Food Waste Solutions
1. Confusing labels
The problem: Sell by, best by, use-by and best-before dates are all labels you see at the supermarket. But what do they mean? When does an item “go bad” if I purchase it before the sell-by-date? And can something be “spoiled” if purchased after the best-before-date? These labels can be confusing to customers, and many people throw out food before the best-before date. About 7% of the food wasted by Americans is due to confusion over date labels.
The Food Waste Solution: Standardized date labels Food waste would decrease if all food retailers used a single label that clearly defined when a product went bad.
2. Oversized servings and containers
The problem: Over recent decades, the size of food and drink containers in the U.S. has ballooned, not only in fast-food restaurants but also in supermarkets and households. Between 1977 and 1996, the size of hamburgers increased by 23%. Soda sizes increased by 52%. Snacks such as potato chips, pretzels, and crackers grew by 60%. How did larger portions become the norm, though? Some people blame movie theatres. In the 1960s, movie theatres increased the size of popcorn buckets in order to boost profits. Customers paid more.
Food Waste Solution: Bigger doesn’t always mean better. Food retailers often serve portions so large that it’s impossible to eat the entire meal in one sitting. Leftovers are usually not eaten at home. By reducing the size of food containers and servings, restaurants and other food retailers could reduce their outrageously large container and serving sizes.
3. The Quest for Perfect Produce
The ProblemConsumers want their fruit and vegetables to be the perfect size, shape and colour. The quest for ideal produce can have serious consequences. There is little demand for “ugly fruits and vegetables” at retail, so large quantities are either left to rot on the fields or sent straight to landfills.
The Food Waste Solution: Just because something looks weird doesn’t make it bad. It is possible to create a market by changing the perception of “ugly” produce. We need to save “ugly’ produce until then before it is wasted. This means establishing systems for donating unwanted fruits and vegetables to organizations that help feed those in need.
4. No Food Waste Tracking
The problem: While food waste tracking technologies have increased in recent years, they are not widely used within the industry. The law does not require retailers to track waste. Those who use the software will reap its benefits. Food retailers can save money by tracking their inventory and waste. They don’t overbuy or throw away as much.
The Food Waste Solution This is a no-brainer—all food retailers should adopt technology to track their food inventories and food waste. They can change their restocking lists if they discover that they are over-purchasing and throwing away an item.
5. Overstocked Stores
The problem: In 2019, retailers such as supermarkets wasted 10 million tons of food. Most of the losses are due to perishables like meat, baked goods, fruits, vegetables, and prepared foods. Grocery and retail executives see the waste as an indication of quality control, keeping the stores stocked only with the freshest foods. However, it comes at a high price. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates grocery stores lose $15 billion in unsold fruit and vegetables alone.
The Food Waste Solution To solve this problem, two things are needed: improving product management and changing consumer environments. This means that food retailers need to plan for the future by incorporating past data into their decisions. They also need to adopt waste-tracking technologies and change the shopping experience to encourage better food management.
6. Lack of accessible food rescue and recycling services
The problem: Let’s be honest, we have all forgotten the celery at the back of the refrigerator. When we remember to use celery, the soft stalks and droopy ends end up in our trash. This is true unless you subscribe to curbside organics recycling or have a backyard composting container. Composting programs are increasing, but not everyone can access them. Food rescue programs are no different. If you want to donate more soup cans but there is no service to drop them off or pick them up, the food will go to waste.
Not all food retailers, restaurants, or grocery stores have access to food donation systems. Every year, they throw out 23 million tons of edible food.
Food Waste Solution: We must strengthen our food rescue systems, not only for non-perishables but also for nutritious produce. This means increasing the capacity of donation centres and making donation services easier to access. Food scraps and other items not suitable for donation should be recycled by composting or anaerobic digestion. First, cities and towns need to make recycling food accessible. Investing in composting infrastructure is one way to do this. Food businesses can also partner with industrial composters to recycle food scraps.
How to Solve the Food Waste Crisis
We have solutions for each of the factors contributing to food waste in America. Food waste can be reduced to save businesses and consumers money. Resources will not be wasted, and those who are food insecure will have access to more nutritious, high-quality food.
At home, you can help by reducing serving sizes, purchasing edible produce (regardless of how wacky it may look), donating food and composting food scraps. You can also play the role of Zero Waste activist. You can use your voice to encourage local businesses to reduce their food waste.
You’re not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered! Use our Zero Waste Activism toolkit to encourage your favourite food retailers and restaurants to reduce food waste. We can make a real difference by raising awareness of the food waste issue.
