Reducing Food Waste – Most Effective Tips

Every year, one-third of the world’s total food supply is wasted or lost. And, 97% of this waste is directed to landfills and incinerators that contribute to the production of global warming gases, especially methane. Food waste is a huge problem at every step in the supply chain. To combat this problem, communities should come together and adopt Zero Waste methods. How to go about it? Read on to know. 
Set Benchmarks and a Timeline – In every industry, it is important to set timelines and benchmarks to measure accomplishments and success. Similarly, communities must set benchmarks and timelines to achieve Zero Food Waste. In some communities, people have adopted the goal of diverting 90% waste away from incinerators and landfills within 10 to 15 years. Others have set larger goals of achieving Zero Waste by the year 2040 such as the Urban Environmental Accords. However, before setting goals and timelines, you must:

• Gauge the urgency of putting the plan into action to be able to create a plan accordingly. 
  
• Understand if your goal is reasonable.
  
• Appoint a leader who can responsibly oversee the project and check if the goals and the deadlines are being met. 
  

Revamp Waste Disposal Methods – Though landfills and incinerators are preferred waste disposal methods, they contribute largely to land, air, and water pollution. Landfills produce greenhouse gases, especially methane. Incinerators too are an indirect source of greenhouse gases. Hence, these waste disposal methods in communities must be replaced with trash chutes which allow easy disposal of waste and also improve recyclability. Here’s why communities must install trash chutes:

• It streamlines the flow of discarded materials in a building. 
  
• Since the waste is collected at a single spot, it makes waste collection easier. 
  
• It allows for easier separation of recyclable waste. 
  

Engage the Entire Community – Achieving zero waste isn’t possible unless every member of the community engages in the project. So, do not leave the responsibility to the waste experts. Here are a few things you must do:

• Encourage existing service providers to engage in the project and adopt environment-friendly waste management methods. 
  
• Encourage organizations that provide services such as take-back, waste reduction, recycling, reuse, composting, etc. to be involved. 
  
• Ensure that new initiatives, progress, performance reviews, etc. are communicated effectively within the entire community. 
  

Perform Waste Assessments – A waste audit is important since it allows identifying the types of waste produced in a community. If funding is not available, you can collect data locally or access it from comparable communities. By performing the audits, you will be able to create a baseline based on which recovery opportunities can be identified. Here’s what you can do:

• Identify the source of waste and check if the waste can be treated. 
  
• Discuss and decide on facilities that you would need to reduce waste production, reuse, recycle, and compost.   
  

Educate the Community – Educate residents, visitors, and businesses about the Zero Waste strategy. Brainstorm and devise ways to achieve better organization and industrial design. Communities must also conduct workshops in schools, universities, and workplaces on how to practice Zero Waste. 

Develop/Expand Zero Food Waste Infrastructures – To achieve Zero Waste, the infrastructure must be in accordance with the strategy. Here’s how Zero Waste infrastructures can be expanded:

• Stakeholders and local government must proactively develop locations for businesses that deal with recycling, reuse and composting. 
  
• Community members must support NGOs, businesses, and citizen groups that are a part of recycle and reuse programs. 
  
• Compost should be used locally to grow crops and restore the soils. Compostable waste such as wood waste, food scraps, garden clippings, etc. produces methane when dumped in landfills. 
  
• Contractors should be encouraged to submit plans that meet community targets. 
  

While communities must take measures to reduce waste, businesses must also be encouraged to reduce their carbon footprint. With a collective effort, Zero Waste can certainly be achieved. 


Author Bio: Erich Lawson is passionate about saving the environment through effective recycling techniques and modern innovations. He works with Compactor Management Company and writes on a variety of topics related to recycling, including tips and advice on how balers, compactors and shredders can be used to reduce industrial waste. He loves helping businesses understand how to lower their monthly garbage bills and increase revenue from recycling.