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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Food Waste Crisis: An Essential Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
So, what do you need to know about this pressing crisis? There are some key stats to be aware of, the main one being that Over 1 billion tonnes of food are wasted every year<\/a><\/a>. That\u2019s a staggering figure, especially when further supported by these facts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n World hunger is one of the most significant problems of our time, but it isn\u2019t the only issue made worse by food waste<\/a>. The edible (and inedible) goods that pile up in global landfills contribute immensely to global warming and climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When food decomposes, it releases methane<\/a>, a potent greenhouse gas that traps heat inside the atmosphere. Instead of distributing food more wisely and managing our waste effectively, we\u2019re slowly destroying the planet while allowing world hunger to continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Food waste is often viewed in two related categories: avoidable and unavoidable. Let\u2019s take a closer look at both and discover the differences between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoidable food waste incorporates food or drinks that were in an edible state at some point before disposal. Statistics show that vast amounts of the waste that ends up in landfills across the globe could have been avoided. For example, in the UK, 7 million tonnes<\/a> of food and drink was disposed of in 2012 \u2013 and 4.2 million tonnes of it was avoidable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some examples of food that gets wasted regularly and unnecessarily:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both households and commercial industries contribute to the immense amount of avoidable food waste, impacted by a variety of factors, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The term unavoidable<\/em> is pretty self-explanatory, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Put simply, unavoidable food waste is the stuff we can\u2019t eat. This includes meat bones, eggshells, fruit skins, tea bags and more. Plenty of waste in this category can be composted or recycled, reducing the impact of methane emissions on the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We should all be worried about the impact of our food waste, especially if we\u2019re going to save the planet before climate change becomes completely irreversible. We\u2019ve compiled some of the best ways to reduce your avoidable waste and better dispose of the unavoidable leftovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Preparation is key to everything in life, but it can have a hugely significant impact on cutting down food waste. Before you head out to the shops or place an order for delivery, plan out your meals for the week. Make a list of all the ingredients you\u2019ll need (and the amounts you require), as well as any snacks or drinks you plan to enjoy between meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only will this make your life easier, but it will also stop you from impulse purchasing or buying things you don\u2019t need. You\u2019ll be able to shop for everything you need while saving money (and the planet) in the process!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buying your groceries from local businesses has various benefits, especially when it comes to reducing food waste. Local produce dealers often get better crops than the supersized retailers, meaning their products are of better quality and last a lot longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can pop out to the shop when you need something instead of buying in bulk and wasting what you don\u2019t use. PLUS, shopping local is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint as large shops rely heavily on transport to fulfill their customers\u2019 demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019ve got a busy schedule, time really does pass by in the blink of an eye. Before you know it, all the food you bought on grocery day has expired. As well as planning your meals in advance, you should also make an effort to check use-by and sell-by dates<\/a> in the store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you know you\u2019re going to eat something immediately, go for the products that expire soonest. If you\u2019re hoping to cook it later in the week, reach further back on the shelves and grab the supplies with the best dates possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Composting or recycling your leftovers is a great way to minimize your methane impact. Unavoidable waste is \u2013 as the name suggests \u2013 unavoidable, but that doesn\u2019t mean we can\u2019t make it less harmful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve not got the space or time for an outdoor composting station, why not invest in a FoodCycler<\/a> instead? Ideal for small and large homes, they\u2019re a compact, eco-friendly solution to food recycling. You can throw in your leftover food instead of feeding our ever-growing landfill crisis and feed your household plants<\/a> with the amendment it produces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no denying that the food waste problem in Canada and beyond has reached crisis point, but there\u2019s still time to make a difference. Take note of our tips, do your research and do your bit to save the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The FoodCycler\u00ae is a countertop electric food waste recycler that breaks down food scraps through a mechanical process into a dry, lightweight by-product that can be used in gardening applications as a fertilizer. The FoodCycler\u00ae and other electric food waste recyclers are not composters, nor do they produce compost or soil as they do not require additional microbes to break down food waste with bacteria. However, the term “electric composter” has been used to describe electric food waste recyclers.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Want to know the difference between avoidable and unavoidable food waste? 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What Is Avoidable Food Waste?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat Is Unavoidable Food Waste?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Top Tips For Reducing Your Food Waste<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPlan Your Meals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nShop Small and Local<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCheck the Dates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCompost or Recycle Your Leftovers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A Note on Terminology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n