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Innovative Tips to Reduce Food Waste – Competere.eu – Pietro Paganini

Let’s celebrate National Food Waste Prevention Day. I propose very simple actions and tools to prevent food waste in production and consumption. There is a moral cost, but above all there is a very high financial and environmental cost.

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Innovative Tips to Reduce Food Waste

On 5th February, Italy celebrates the National Day of Food Waste Prevention. It provides us with an opportunity to reflect more deeply at a European and global level. 

Reducing food waste is not just a moral obligation to those who have nothing or to the planet that produces it, but also an economic and environmental issue. With simple and immediate actions and a few investments in organizational and technological innovations, we can significantly decrease waste.

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1.3 BILLION TONS OF FOOD WASTED 
Food loss and waste is a significant global problem, with around 1.3 billion tons, or a third of all food produced, lost or wasted annually (according to the FAO). This results in substantial financial losses and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, with the food waste sector producing 8% of global emissions. 
Most food waste occurs at the consumer level, with developed countries having the highest food waste per capita, averaging 200-400 K/Cal per person per day, or 33-50% of the food available for human consumption. This equates to 240 billion K/Cal being produced daily in excess of the 19.5 trillion K/Cal required by the world’s 8 billion citizens to maintain a healthy diet (according to the WHO). This is a massive amount of energy the planet must produce daily to sustain us. The environmental impact is devastating.

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In developing countries, food loss and waste totals around 230 million tons annually, equivalent to 30-40% of all food produced. A significant portion of the loss happens during harvest and post-harvest handling due to inadequate infrastructure, equipment, and storage facilities. Food waste in developing countries frequently has a more significant impact on food security, where poverty and food shortages are prevalent. Addressing food loss and waste in these countries is crucial for reducing hunger and improving food security.

HOW TO REDUCE FOOD LOSS AND WASTE?

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Reducing food loss and waste is essential for both economic and environmental reasons and requires action across the food supply chain. The following immediate actions and technologies can be taken, especially in developing countries, where the problem is upstream in the supply chain due to inadequate infrastructure, equipment, and storage facilities:

  • Use IoT sensors for food quality and temperature monitoring.
  • Implement cold chain management systems for temperature-controlled food transport.
  • Develop predictive analytics and machine learning for supply chain optimization.
  • Adopt mobile and web-based food management apps for improved tracking and distribution.
  • Adopt advanced packaging solutions to extend the shelf-life of perishable items.
  • Develop smart food storage systems for better organization and inventory management.
  • Implement Blockchain for food traceability and transparency.
  • Use aeroponic and hydroponic systems for controlled-environment agriculture.
  • Adopt advanced composting and anaerobic digestion systems for organic waste management.
  • Use predictive maintenance and monitoring systems for food processing and packaging equipment.

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In developed western countries, food waste occurs at the consumer level and is largely due to a lack of food culture and education. Individuals can take immediate actions to reduce food waste, such as:

  • Meal and shopping planning: plan meals and shopping trips to minimise food waste. Create a grocery list based on weekly meal plans and stick to it.
  • Proper food preservation: proper preservation extends food shelf-life. Store fruits and veggies in optimal temperature and humidity and use airtight containers for dry goods.
  • Leftover utilization: Use leftovers to create new meals and reduce waste. E.g., leftover rice in stir-fry or veggies in soups or omelettes.
  • Composting: composting transforms food scraps into nutrient-rich soil amendment for gardens, reducing waste.
  • Surplus food donation: if you have surplus edible food, consider donating to a local food bank or soup kitchen.
  • Sustainable agriculture support: support practices that reduce food loss, e.g. reducing use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers, promoting soil health.
  • Awareness and education: raise awareness and educate on importance of reducing food loss and waste for a more sustainable food system.

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By implementing these practices, individuals and communities can work together to fight food loss and waste, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable food system for all.

Innovative Tips to Reduce Food Waste – Competere.eu

Image credit: The New York Magazine >>>

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