A focus on measurement to reduce food waste
Wasted food that ends up in landfills is a big GHG emissions problem. But there are ways in which we can be helped to reduce that waste in our own homes.
Summary: A study found that using meal boxes which precisely measure ingredients can lead to a 38% reduction in food waste from households.
Why this is important: 8-10% of global GHG emissions are associated with food that is not consumed and ends up in landfills. In the UK, per capita food waste per annum in households is the same as my body weight!
The big theme: Waste has been an inevitable problem of the traditional linear production and consumption model. Reducing and eliminating waste is a big area for decarbonisation in energy and finished goods such as food - waste less, consume less, generate less. What we do with that waste can also contribute to harmful emissions. Food waste entering landfills, for example, is estimated to generate between eight and ten percent of global GHG emissions. The circular economy and other recycling paradigms offer one route. Other innovations from the technological to the economic to the behavioural can also help.
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The details
Summary of a story from The Journal of Cleaner Production:
A study across six countries (UK, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Canada and the US) found that the use of meal boxes (containing precisely measured ingredients and recipes) reduced total meal waste by 38% compared with meals cooked with store-bought ingredients. In particular the amount of food left in pots and pans was reduced by 34%. Interestingly the amount of food wasted as leftovers on plates was increased by 15% with meal box dinners.
Let's take a look at why this is important...
