Food waste is a major global problem. One third of the food produced Every year, huge amounts of food are wasted. The environmental and economic impacts of this are enormous. Wasted food is a source of greenhouse gas emissions and contributes increasingly to climate change. However, it’s not all bad.
Advances in technology, including AI, the Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile apps, are contributing to ways to mitigate food waste and create a truly sustainable food system. Technology can help reduce food waste, and the future holds great promise for these solutions.
By implementing these technologies, we can contribute to reducing food waste on the planet.
Scope of food waste
From production and processing to retail and consumption, this happens more often than we know. Food waste occurs at every stage of the food supply chain. In 2021, 931 million tonnes of food is left unharvested in the field, unprocessed in manufacturing and uneaten at home. According to the United Nations Environment ProgrammeAdditionally, methane-producing food waste accounts for 8-10% of annual carbon dioxide emissions.
Unfortunately, The history of food waste in America This shows that this is not a new phenomenon: food waste began in the 19th century.Number And 20Number Food waste has decreased over the centuries as industrialization has made many foods more readily available. Even today, households contribute to global food waste through leftovers and expired food. Restaurants also play a large role by discarding surplus or spoiled food.
To understand this, the United NationsFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) If food waste were a country, it would be the third largest.rd It’s the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, global food waste represents a loss of value of $936 billion per year. Preventing this waste could help feed everyone on the planet.
With such a huge environmental impact, it’s no wonder people are working on ways to reduce food waste, especially by using innovative technologies.
How can technology be used to reduce food waste?
from Freely accessible eco-friendly food fridge To Microorganism Sticker A technology that helps keep fruit fresh for longer shows great potential to become the ultimate food waste management solution.
These technologies address everything from food waste management to reduction and redistribution. Let me tell you about three technological solutions that will change the food waste problem.
AI in Food Waste Management
Artificial intelligence (AI) is taking over many tasks in our lives, such as managing food waste. AI can help reduce food waste in restaurants, hotels, and even homes by making more accurate predictions about food usage. This information can help reduce overall waste and overproduction.
Research on Food waste management in the hospitality industry AI solutions can also be found to track inventory in real time and help reduce waste.
for example, Winnow Solution uses AI to help commercial kitchens track and analyze food waste. Using smart scales and AI algorithms, Winnow’s technology identifies which foods are most often wasted and provides actionable insights to reduce this waste. This approach has helped companies like IKEA save millions of dollars per year by purchasing less unnecessary food and reducing overall waste.
In the hotel industry, Orbisc offers an AI-based food waste management system that uses image recognition technology to automatically monitor and classify food waste. This data allows hotels to adjust purchasing decisions and meal preparation, significantly reducing food waste. For example, hotel chain Accor has deployed Aubisque’s technology in several of its locations, Food waste reduced by 22% in six months.
AI is also bringing about change at the household level. Too good to go Too Good To Go uses AI to connect consumers with restaurants and stores that have surplus food, allowing users to purchase food at a discount. This not only helps reduce food waste, but also gives consumers a way to save money while enjoying a quality meal. In 2023, Too Good To Go partnered with a major supermarket chain. Carrefour and Aldi Expanding our reach and impact and saving millions of meals from waste.
Take Action
The fight against food waste requires both global action and individual responsibility. As we have seen, innovative technologies such as AI and IoT are making a significant contribution to reducing food waste at different stages of the supply chain. From large organizations such as IKEA and Accor hotels to individual households, these technologies are proving that they can indeed create a more sustainable food system.
But the success of these technologies depends not only on their development and adoption, but also on our willingness to embrace them. Technology can provide us with the tools and insights we need to reduce waste, but it is up to each of us to take action in our daily lives.
Start by taking stock of your food waste habits. Are you buying more than you need? Do you throw leftovers in the trash? Use an app like Too Good To Go to rescue excess food, or if you run a restaurant, consider implementing AI-powered kitchen tools to monitor and manage your inventory. Small changes can add up to big impacts.
The journey towards reducing food waste starts with awareness and is driven by action. By embracing these technologies and making conscious choices, you can play a key role in reducing food waste and ensuring a sustainable future for the planet. Let’s take the first step together: review your eating habits, explore available technologies, and work to reduce waste at home. The planet and future generations will thank you.
About the Author
Bailey Ramsay is Shapiro EnterprisesOrganic waste management and recycling company. Specializing in creating educational content, they produce content for various industries, with a special interest in environmental initiatives.
