Food waste has become one of the most pressing issues of our time, with significant implications for climate change, global hunger, and sustainability. Experts agree that reducing food waste is essential, but despite growing awareness, waste levels remain staggering. In traditional societies, where resources are scarce, wasting food is unthinkable, yet industrialized nations have adopted habits that contribute to nearly a third of all food produced being discarded.
This article explores the scope of the problem, its impact on the planet, and the steps we can take to address it.
Traditional Societies vs. Industrial Nations: A Stark Contrast
In traditional communities, such as the Maasai cattle herders in northern Tanzania, the idea of wasting food is beyond comprehension. To these groups, every part of an animal or plant is utilized, and intentional waste is considered morally outrageous. Some Maasai even go as far as to claim that wasting food is worse than murder, as the loss of food has the potential to cause more harm by contributing to widespread hunger.
In stark contrast, modern industrialized nations are guilty of massive levels of food waste. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that 17% of global food production is wasted, with an equal amount lost during production. That means nearly one-third of the world’s food supply never reaches a plate. On average, households waste 74kg of food per person annually, regardless of income levels.
The Impact of Food Loss and Waste
In addition to consumer waste, there is also significant loss in the agricultural sector, where crops and livestock meant for human consumption are discarded before reaching the market. This is often due to poor storage, transport issues, or lack of demand. In some cases, crops are simply left to rot in fields because farmers cannot find buyers.
Reducing food waste has become a moral imperative. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals include a target to halve food waste by 2030, with a focus on both consumer-level waste and losses in production and supply chains.
Food Waste and Climate Change
The impact of food waste extends far beyond moral concerns—it is also a significant contributor to climate change. UNEP reports that 8% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food that is produced but not consumed. If food waste were a country, it would rank as the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, behind only China and the United States.
In addition to its environmental toll, food waste exacerbates food insecurity in poorer regions and contributes to biodiversity loss. When land is used for cultivation that ultimately serves no one, valuable ecosystems are destroyed for no purpose.
The Role of Retailers in the Food Waste Crisis
Retailers play a significant role in the food waste problem. Many supermarkets enforce strict procurement policies, demanding that farmers have large quantities of produce ready for sale, but without the guarantee of purchasing all of it. This leaves farmers with excess crops that often end up as waste.
Retailers also encourage consumers to buy more than they need through bulk deals and promotions. Danish food waste campaigner Selina Juul describes this as “buy three, pay for two, waste one.” The waste generated by retailers themselves often results from oversupply, with supermarkets choosing to discard unsold items to maintain fully stocked shelves rather than risk empty spaces.
Changing Attitudes: Denmark’s Success Story
Denmark offers a rare success story in the fight against food waste. Between 2010 and 2015, the country reduced its food waste by 25%, largely thanks to Selina Juul’s campaign “Stop Wasting Food.” Juul’s efforts led retailers to end bulk promotions and adopt measures like selling individual bananas, resulting in significantly less waste.
Juul’s approach has garnered international attention, with the Danish government fully embracing the cause. However, Denmark’s small size and strong environmental consciousness played key roles in this success, and no other country has replicated its achievements on such a scale.
Tackling Food Waste: What Can Be Done?
The solution to food waste is complex and multifaceted. Campaigners like Juul argue that prevention is the key—avoiding overproduction in the first place, rather than relying on redistribution schemes that may simply transfer waste from retailers to consumers.
Improving packaging can also help reduce waste by extending the shelf life of perishable items. However, this comes with trade-offs, as increased packaging contributes to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Governments also have a role to play in regulating waste. In the UK, attempts to introduce mandatory food-waste reporting for large businesses were abandoned, leaving much of the burden on consumers and retailers. Proper measurement of food waste is critical for developing effective strategies, as the old adage goes: “What gets measured gets managed.”
A Call to Action
The fight against food waste requires coordinated efforts from individuals, businesses, and governments. Campaigns like Juul’s show that public awareness can drive change, but real progress will require long-term, strategic thinking and collaboration across sectors.
With food waste contributing to climate change, food insecurity, and biodiversity loss, it’s clear that the cost of inaction is far too high. As we face a future of growing populations and environmental challenges, making better use of our food resources will become not just a moral obligation, but a necessity for survival.
