Live wasted food
in tonnes:
Worldwide Food Waste
In one portion of the world we witness
starving societies and on the other,
"throwaway" civilisations exist. Each year,
approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of food is
destined for trash can. This equates to 41
tonnes each second. A portion is discarded
immediately after harvest due to the fact that
it does not meet the required standards.
However, the majority of waste is caused by
the home consumer. We should note here
that not only is the food itself wasted. Other
concerns are the energy and raw materials
(such as fertiliser) utilised to harvest the
crops along with the process of transporting
food over long distances. The ultimate cost
of disposal also needs to be taken into
account. This is the reason why it is
estimated that $750 billion dollars are spent
on an annual basis. This equates to $23,782
dollars each second. Even Bill Gates would
be bankrupt after only a few weeks!
Bill Gates Money Counter
Since the beginning of the
year in million tonnes:
Cost of waste live
in US Dollar:
"Food is for everyone, but not everyone can afford it"
A truth that has been seen open around the world far too often. Unfortunately, more food
goes wasted each year than what can actually be eaten. The world suffers the
consequences of decades of overconsumption and poor resource management, as millions
of tons of food are thrown away instead of being utilized or delivered to those in need.
A recent study conducted by The Institute of Food and Development Research produced
startling results, estimating that over 20 types of food are being wasted on a global scale
each year. On a yearly basis, nearly 61 million tons of potatoes, 49 million tons of apples, 48
million tons of bread, 44 million tons of chicken, 39 million tons of tomatoes, 34 million tons
of fish, 13 million tons of eggs, and 147 million tons of vegetables are thrown away.
These staggering numbers should make us wonder how many people these oats of food
thrown away could’ve fed. The Institute also put together some rough estimates, as they
calculated that nearly 795 million people worldwide suffer from food insecurity on a daily
basis. This means that the global population could’ve sustained an estimated 690 million
individuals with the food that was wasted in a year. This figure includes 145 million children
who could’ve been provided with nourishing meals had those foods been donated or
redistributed properly.
A subsequent report revealed that countries such as the US and Canada produced the most
amount of food waste of all, chiefly as a result of overzealous plating and packaging
techniques. In the US alone, it’s estimated that an additional 30-40% of energy is spent when
feeding a person with food that’s been plated for retail stores.
A fresh study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology found that individuals in low-
income countries are particularly at risk of food waste. This is attributed to the overall
employment rate, as low-income households in these countries often struggle to secure
employment due to the current global health and socio-economic climate. In fact, over 28%
of the global population lives with a daily income of less than $3.10, making it almost
impossible for them to feed themselves adequately.
It’s clear that food waste has become a major issue in the world, and yet there are still many
individuals and organizations unaware of its impact. Wasted food not only affects food
availability and distribution, but also the environment, as food that decomposes into
landfills generates large amounts of methane - a highly potent greenhouse gas. In addition,
vast amounts of energy and money are spent when producing food unnecessarily for the
foodservice industry.
Fortunately, knowledge, advocacy, and the implementation of effective interventions can
reduce the amount of food waste in the world. This is particularly so when it comes to
reducing food insecurity, as well as when it comes to preventing further environmental
damage.
To begin, one of the most effective ways to reduce food waste is to promote food rescue
programs against food insecurity. This involves connecting those in need with individuals
or organizations offering assistance, ensuring that the surplus food is available to those
who truly need it. Additionally, people can spread awareness via social media platforms and
blogs, as well as by donating to charitable organizations that are actively working to reduce
global hunger and malnutrition.
When it comes to environmental preservation, collective action and advocacy are key.
Governments should set up policies or subsidies that focus on green packaging and more
efficient production techniques, to ensure that waste is minimized. Doing so would enable
food businesses to save on costs and resources, and will create more space for better
waste management.
Thus, the first steps towards slashing global food waste must start with individuals, as we
play a key role in changing waste-related behavior and attitudes. By becoming more mindful
consumers, and engaging in sustainable purchasing and preparation processes, we can
ensure that food is used to nourish as many people as possible, rather than simply being a
source of waste.
In conclusion, wasted food does more than just waste money, it also wastes lives, and when
large amounts of food are wasted each year on a global scale, it can be a major contributor
to undernutrition and food insecurity. We must come together to resolve this issue, as well
as put existing resources to better use. Doing so will ensure that food isn’t simply wasted,
but rather used to feed and nourish those in need.