When we talk about reducing our carbon footprint, we often think about driving less or adopting renewable energy sources like solar panels. However, there's a significant aspect of our daily lives that often goes overlooked – food waste.
The statistics regarding food waste are staggering, and it's crucial that we all play a part in addressing this issue. In this blog, we'll delve into the alarming food waste facts and statistics that highlight the magnitude of the problem.
Food Waste in the UK
Let's start by taking a closer look at the situation in the United Kingdom. Each year, the UK disposes of a shocking 9.52 million tonnes of food, according to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP). To put this into perspective, that's enough to fill 190 Royal Albert Halls, and it weighs more than the combined weight of 112 million average British men. This wastage occurs across various sectors, including manufacturing, retail, hospitality, and households.
Surprisingly, households are responsible for a significant portion of this food waste, contributing to 70% of the UK's total. Of this, a staggering 4.5 million tonnes are perfectly edible. At a time when 68.1% of UK households are concerned about their ability to afford enough food due to rising energy prices, this level of waste is simply unacceptable.
In total, the UK discards 6.4 million tonnes of completely edible food every year, which could translate into an additional 10.5 billion meals if efficiently distributed to those in need. To combat this issue, researchers are devising innovative ways to utilise surplus food, such as incorporating luminescent particles from fruit and vegetable waste into solar panels.
The Cost of Food Waste
Food waste isn't just an environmental issue; it also comes with a substantial economic cost. The consumable food wasted in the UK amounts to a staggering £19 billion, equating to £284 per person. Households alone discard edible food worth £13.8 billion, which, if distributed evenly among the UK's 28.1 million households, would save each household £491 annually.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Perhaps one of the most alarming consequences of food waste is its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). In the UK, food waste emits a whopping 25 million tonnes of GHGs each year, accounting for 5.5% of the country's total emissions. This figure exceeds the total annual emissions of Kenya, a country with a population of 53 million. Considering the UK's goal to reduce GHG levels by 68% of 1990 levels by 2030, addressing food waste is a critical step toward achieving this target.
Household food waste alone is responsible for 21 million tonnes of GHGs, and even when considering only the edible food wasted, it still amounts to 14 million tonnes. Eliminating this amount would have an environmental impact equivalent to removing one in four cars from the road.
The Most Wasted Foods in the UK
Potatoes top the list of the most wasted foods in the UK, with a staggering 1.6 billion discarded annually. Fresh vegetables and salad make up 28% of edible food waste in the country.
Global Food Waste
Zooming out to a global perspective, the statistics are equally concerning. Worldwide, a shocking 2.5 billion tonnes of food go to waste annually, accounting for 40% of all food produced for human consumption. This translates to an average of 1.5 tonnes of wasted food per global household, amounting to more than 5.8 trillion meals at a total cost of £1.6 trillion.
This is especially troubling when we consider that 2.3 billion people worldwide are moderately or severely food insecure, which represents 29% of the global population. If we redirected the world's wasted food to those in need, it could provide each person with 2,536 meals annually, or seven meals every day.
Global Food Waste Leaders
China leads the world in food waste, discarding a staggering 91.6 million tonnes each year. Other countries with substantial food waste include India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Brazil, Mexico, the United States, and Indonesia.
Food Waste per Capita
Nigeria ranks as the highest food waster per capita, with 189 kg of food wasted per person annually. This equates to more than 37.9 million tonnes of wasted food each year. On the other end of the spectrum, Russia, Slovenia, Austria, India, and Belize are the top countries with the least food waste per person.
A Call to Action
In summary, food waste is a multifaceted problem with severe environmental, economic, and social implications. However, there is hope. The UK has made significant strides in reducing food waste, and if we continue to address this issue globally, we can make a substantial impact on eliminating global hunger. By taking steps to reduce food waste in our homes and communities, we can all contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.