Your fridge and climate change

Wasting food affects a lot more than just your wallet. If food waste were a country, it would come in third after the US and China in terms of impact on global warming. According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, as reported in The Washington Post, 30 percent of food is wasted globally across the supply chain, contributing 8 per cent of total global greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and hydrofluorcarbons (fluorinated gases used in refrigeration) are produced and emitted from food production to our refrigerators. And don’t forget all the metal cans, plastic bags and cardboard boxes our food comes in. By throwing away half a lasagna, half of the emissions that resulted from producing and processing, packaging, shipping, storing, picking up and cooking are also wasted.

Change begins at home. Make conscientious decisions to purchase what we intend to eat and eat what is purchased. Embrace “ugly food” — fruits and vegetables that are blemished and not perfectly shaped but are perfectly delicious and nutritious. Properly store, use and share leftovers, and compost scraps.

Wanless can provide your business with organics recycling solutions including customised source separation systems and recycling options from bin collections to the latest European on site composting technologies. Contact us to find out more.