The Problem of Food Waste | International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste 2022

Here’s a question: How much did you leave on your plate last time you ate a meal?  

A couple of potatoes? Some pieces of chicken? Or maybe a few forkfuls you were too stuffed to finish off?  

It’s not unusual.

And thereby lies a problem. 

The food we throw away is intrinsically linked to a much larger problem. Currently, 1/3 of the global food we produce is wasted, all while 811 million people around the world live in food poverty. 

Furthermore, the world’s population is due to grow to 8 billion this year and hit 9.7 billion by 2050. With nearly 10% of the current population living in food poverty this number will only grow if we do not address the problem of food waste and work to improve the distribution of resources.   

We make enough food to feed every person on the planet, however due to changing climates, natural disasters, politics, poverty and much more, the food we produce is not fairly distributed or dealt with and, as such many are left to go without. 

However, food loss and waste are also urgent environmental issues. Food waste accounts for 8-10% of global greenhouse gases (this is equivalent to being the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world!). This makes food waste a problem that we need to solve to create a sustainable future for our planet and our people.  

It's not just the food we throw away at home, of course. High GHG emissions from food waste across the board are mainly due to the fact that food production uses an enormous amount of land, water and energy. One third of GHG emissions globally come from agriculture, and 30% of the food we produce is wasted – about 1.8 billion tons a year. 

At Techbuyer we believe in a bright future for our global community and our environment. We believe that to create a liveable Earth for future and current generations and improve the quality of life of millions around the world, we have a duty to promote sustainable consumption and disposal in every industry.

This led us to sign up to support the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development in 2019, including Goal 17: Responsible Consumption and Production. This goal works to improve the quality of life and environmental impact of what we buy, consume and dispose, effectively generating a circular economy. We set targets against Goal 17 within our own industry, and as a strong advocate for the circular economy and reuse, food wastage is an issue close to our hearts.  

We acknowledge that a circular food economy is different to the tech industry (where our expertise lies) because of use by dates, storage requirements and effective transportation. But as believers in a sustainable model, we’re interested in learning more and supporting those who are making a difference in this field. There are some innovative and practical ways that we can help feed those in need, prevent food going to waste and reduce the environmental impact of this industry.  

We can all make small changes to reduce the amount of food we waste and prevent it from ending up in landfills where it not only becomes useless but also emits dangerous greenhouse gases.  

Some tips to reduce food waste:  

• Keep most fruit and veg in the fridge (except bananas, pineapples, potatoes and onions).  
• Once opened, keep perishable food wrapped to keep it fresh for longer.  
• Cool leftovers as quickly as possible after cooking to store in the fridge or freezer.
• Choose frozen options for food items you regularly waste, such as onions and peppers etc.
• Similarly, you can help support local charities by donating food items that you have not (if still in date) or will not use, to be sent to those in need.  

At Techbuyer we believe in bright futures for a sustainable future. Promoting the circular economy and responsible consumption and production within the technology industry, as well as in other areas, is at the heart of what we do. From refurbishing technology and diverting e-waste from landfill, to supporting the fantastic work of others in creating a positive change for our global community, we are dedicated to working towards a brighter future.