Food that was not sold, leftovers, or food that was put back into the refrigerator are all examples of food waste. If we are paying attention, we produce a large amount of food waste every day.
The 2021 Food Waste Index Report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) states that 931 million tonnes of food are wasted worldwide every year, equivalent to one-third of global food production. The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is observed every September 29. This day is dedicated to reflecting on the global problem of food waste and loss that impacts our planet.
Environmental Impact of Food Waste
Food waste is a type of waste that contains a large amount of water. In order to incinerate it, you need more energy. This contributes approximately 8-10% to global greenhouse gas emissions. It not only causes climate change but also vermin infestations and compromised water quality. There are also fires and air pollution caused by waste transportation.
It’s surprisingly easy to solve this problem: Don’t waste any food. Only buy what you need. Prepare the correct portion sizes and store leftovers correctly. We can reduce our environmental impact by reducing food waste.
Composting is a sustainable approach.
Even though some food waste, like vegetable peels and scraps, is inevitable, we can minimize its negative effects. Composting is an effective solution. Composting is a biodegradation process in which organic material such as food scraps or leaves decomposes into soil. You can use this soil in your farms and gardens. Composting is a popular way to reduce food waste.
Why Composting?
1. Reduce Negative Environment Impacts Composting diverts waste organics from landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It also prevents contamination. This environmentally friendly practice reduces problems like fires and vermin infestations.
2. Improve soil conditions. Compost is a by-product of composting organic wastes. It can be used as an alternative to chemical fertilizers and enrich the soil with nutrients.
Composting systems are available in different types.
- Composting in the Home and Community (Decentralized Composting). This method encourages families and communities to compost organic waste locally. This is technically feasible, as it involves containers such as plastic baskets or clay pots.
- Centralized composting: If local governments can properly separate organic waste at the source of production, they may use centralized composting.
Composting, or ‘composting,’ is a sustainable method whereby food waste is mixed into soil and turned into fertilizer rich in nutrients. By 2050, composting could also reduce global emissions by 2.1 billion metric tonnes.
