One of the biggest tragedies in a world filled with abundance is that so many foods are wasted while millions of people go to sleep hungry.
Each year, over 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted worldwide, nearly a third of all food produced. The loss occurs in restaurants, farms, homes, and markets. Each spoiled apple, uneaten food, or expired package has a hidden cost for people, the planet, and the future.
What is food waste?
Food Waste occurs when edible food that could be eaten is thrown out instead. This can occur:
- In farms: overproduction of crops or damaged crops
- Due to “imperfect appearance” or expiration dates
- Home: overspending, improper storage or leftovers
- Restaurants: the over-preparation of buffets or oversized portions
Food can sometimes never leave the field. This is a silent loss that we seldom see.
Food Waste is Important
1. Environmental Harm
- Wasting food is a waste of energy, water, land and labour
- If food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter
- The rotting food in landfills produces methane, a powerful gas that is more potent than carbon dioxide
- Each banana that is thrown out wastes 160 litres — enough water for two showers.
2. Hunger and Injustice
- More than 828 million people suffer from hunger
- Currently, one-third of food is wasted. This would be enough to feed billions of people.
It is not an issue of supply but rather a problem with distribution and awareness.
3. Economic Loss
- The global economy loses nearly 1 trillion dollars each year due to food waste
- Businesses throw away profits, and the government pays for disposal.
Why Do We Waste Our Food?
- We purchase more than we need
- Food that looks “okay” but is still thrown out
- The “best before” date is not correct
- We place more importance on appearance than quality (e.g. perfect-looking products)
- We are not aware of how much money we waste
The food waste we produce is often hidden unless we decide to look at it.
Simple Solutions with a Big Impact
For Individuals
- Plan your meals and only buy what you need
- Keep food in the fridge or dry area
- Discover recipes for leftovers
- Freeze extra portions
- Labels: “Best Before” and “Bad”
For Business:
- Donate surplus food
- Tracking food waste systems
- Train your staff about portion sizes and storage
- Redesigning menus to reduce surplus
For Governments and Communities
- Food donation laws and incentives
- Launch awareness campaigns at schools and in public spaces
- Support food banks, composting and “ugly” food markets
Hopeful Innovations
- Apps that track expiry dates and smart fridges
- Share extra food in community fridges
- Food scraps are being turned into fabrics, snacks and fertilizers by startups
- Schools teaching food literacy for the next generation
Moral responsibility
Food waste is more than a mistake. It’s an opportunity missed to:
- Feeding someone hungry
- Respect the work done by farmers and food workers
- Protecting nature and its resources
- Make the world fairer, more sustainable and more human
Final Words: Waste Less, Care More
Food is a wonderful gift of love, time, effort and earth.
We have the power in every home, school, market, and restaurant to treat food with respect.
Share more. Share more. Cook with care. Eat with gratitude. And remember: Every meal saved is a small step towards a better future.
