Food Waste: The Hidden Cost of Waste

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ast

cost

of waste

the hidden

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WHAT IS

FOOD WASTE

Any food or inedible food parts removed from the food supply chain that are recovered or disposed of are considered food waste. This includes composting, crops that are planted but are not harvested, anaerobic digestion, bio-energy production, co-generation, incineration, disposal to a landfill or sewer, or discarding food waste into the sea. However, food waste does not include food waste that is removed from the food supply chain and sent to animal feed or bio-based material/chemistry processing.

the problem

Food Waste

with

How food waste is a problem

socially

Food waste requires the use of energy, land, water, and labour to produce, store, harvest, transport, package, and sell. When we throw away food, we waste precious resources that could have fed starving people. In addition, food waste has a detrimental effect on Indonesia's healthcare system. The health of people is more immediately at risk from improper food waste disposal. Food dropped in the street, for instance, creates a haven for bacteria and can attract rodents and parasites that can infect people with viruses and other diseases.

HOW IT AFFECTS THE

eNVIRONMENT

The resources used in food production, processing, transportation, preparation, and storage are also squandered when food is thrown away. The loss and waste of food contribute significantly to the greenhouse gas emissions that worsen the threat of climate change. Methane, an even more potent greenhouse gas that is detrimental to the environment, is released when food ends up in landfills. Food production, transportation, and processing also release significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Extreme weather brought on by climate change may cause a shortage of food. Extreme weather brought on by climate change has the potential to seriously impair agricultural productivity, disrupt food supply, and endanger food security. Food transportation is impacted by this because excessive heat and rain force roads to close, which ruins perishable food in transportation if enough refrigeration isn't available. This leads to food waste because the food that was created was thrown away rather being eaten.

political

the

economical

impact

Bogor, Indonesia, has the highest percentage of food waste, reaching 70%. To prevent food hunger and enhance food security, the Bogor Regency Government is focusing on decreasing and preventing waste. Collaborating with stakeholders like the National Food Agency and Foodbank of Indonesia Jakarta, the government aims to close the food gap between those with extra food and those in need. This collaboration aims to prevent food waste and ensure food security in the community.

political

Due to food loss and waste, Indonesia is the biggest producer of food waste in Southeast Asia. From 2000 to 2019, the country disposed of 23–48 million tons of food waste annually, or 115–184 kg per capita. Rp 213-551 trillion, or roughly 4-5 percent of Indonesia's GDP, is lost economically as a result each year.

economical

scientific

the

explanation to

food waste

Food waste continues after harvest, but the amounts involved are uncertain and difficult to estimate. Factors contributing to food waste, such as pests and microorganisms, can cause significant quantitative losses in storage. Food waste is also caused by losses in nutritional value, caloric value, and edibility of crops due to extremes in temperature, humidity, or bacteria behavior.

Food waste endangers human life, and when managed poorly, can cause significant harm to human health and safety or the environment. Hazardous wastes, primarily produced by chemical production, manufacturing, and other industrial activities, can cause damage during improper storage, transportation, treatment, or disposal.

Food waste refers to the food or inedible parts of food removed from the food supply chain, such as composting, crop ploughing, anaerobic digestion, bio-energy production, co-generation, incineration, disposal to sewer, landfill, or discarded to sea.

It is a major concern in terms of nutritional insecurity, as it decreases the availability of food for human consumption. Food waste also has significant environmental, economic, poverty, and natural resource impacts. When disposed of in landfills, a substantial amount of it converts into greenhouse gases, including methane, with a global warming potential 25 times higher than carbon dioxide emissions. Food waste decomposes faster than other landfilled materials, producing more methane but not contributing to biogenic sequestration in that area.

proposed solution →

A possible

solution

Food donation is a crucial solution to food waste, as it redirects surplus food away from landfills to those in need. However, most countries lack supportive laws and policies that enable food donation to reach its full impact. In Indonesia, food safety laws are based on Chapter VII of Law No. 18 or 2012 on Food, amended by Law No. 11 of 2020 regarding Job Creation, and Government Regulation No. 86/2019. These regulations detail requirements related to food sanitation, additives, genetically modified foods, irradiated food, and food labeling. However, these laws do not include separate procedures or sections for food donation, making it difficult for food donors and recovery organizations to determine which food safety rules apply to donated food. To eliminate uncertainty, the Indonesian government should update the current food safety framework, amend the Food Law to clarify provisions concerning food safety and which apply to food donation operations, or issue an additional regulation focusing exclusively on food donation operations. Foodbank of Indonesia (FOI) recently visited the Bogor Agriculture and Food Security Office to Save Excess Food, partnering with DPKP Bogor City to tackle potential food scarcity and achieve food security through various FOI projects.

Food Waste

kyoto protocol

The Kyoto Protocol, which was adopted in 1997 and went into effect in 2005, operationalizes the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by having industrialized nations and economies in transition to set and adhere to individual emission targets for greenhouse gases (GHGs). The European Union, 37 industrialized nations, and economies in transition are all required to meet the protocol's mandatory emission reduction targets. When combined, these goals will result in an average 5% reduction in emissions from 1990 levels for the 2008–2012 five-year period (the first commitment period).

paris agreement

At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on December 12, 2015, 196 Parties signed the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international climate agreement. Its main objective is to "limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels" and to "hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels."

how is this connected to my solution? →

The Kyoto Protocol aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change by reducing the emission of six greenhouse gases. Food donation can help by reducing food waste, which decomposes and releases methane into the atmosphere. By donating food, we can reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions. This aligns with the goals of the Kyoto Protocol.

The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and 1.5 degrees Celsius. Food donations can help reduce food waste and conserve resources, which can minimize global warming. Food waste contributes to 6%-8% of total human-caused emissions and 8-10% of world emissions. By donating food, we can reduce food waste and conserve resources, protecting biodiversity.

While food donations are not the only way to mitigate global warming, they can play a significant role in larger climate change initiatives. Therefore, food donation can be seen as an action that aligns with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

advantages

environmental

Food banking/donation is an incredibly affordable environmental action, as most products are obtained at no cost or very cheap cost. For instance, voluntary agreements encourage businesses, governments, local governments, and other stakeholders to work together to lessen the negative environmental effects of food waste in the production and consumption sectors. In fact, food banks all over the world are working together to form similar global partnerships, starting with agreements in Australia, Indonesia, Mexico, and South Africa.

economic

Businesses that contribute fit and healthy food to eligible charitable organizations that help the poor and needy can now deduct more money from their taxes thanks to the Internal Revenue Code 170 of 2011. The cost of producing the food as well as half the difference between the cost and full fair market value of the donated food are deductible by qualified business taxpayers.

social

Food that is fit for human consumption can be donated to feed needy homes and prevent food waste from ending up in landfills. Food banks, soup kitchens, pantries, and shelters rely on donations of nonperishable and undamaged perishable food from homes and businesses to supply their shelves.

well - being

Donating is a selfless deed that encourages growth, self-worth, and self-worth. Donating has a favorable impact on the brain, as evidenced by studies, thus it can also enhance mental health and well-being. Stress during the holidays can result in health problems like headaches, sleeplessness, and elevated blood pressure.

disadvantages

environmental

Food donation organizations transport donated food. Organizations that collect and distribute donated food are actively involved in the process. For instance, Move for Hunger, a moving firm, offers assistance with food donations' transportation. Regrettably, food transportation contributes negatively to both climate change and the ecosystem. Food miles are used to quantify the environmental impact of food transportation. They show how much carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced to carry one tonne of food over a given distance (miles or kilometers). Following trucks, cars, and railroads, cargo ships generate the least CO2 per kilometer—between 15 and 30 grams per tonne of food. Aeroplanes, which produce between 570 and 1580 grams per tonne per kilometer, have the largest impact. Increases in carbon dioxide are harmful because they fuel global warming. Earth's temperature rises as a result of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide trapping heat in the atmosphere. The possibility of climate change brought on by this temperature increase might lead to extreme weather, disruptions in the food supply, a spike in wildfires, and respiratory illnesses from smog and air pollution.

social

The core reasons of food poverty, which are tied to income, are not addressed by recycling food waste from supermarkets and cafes to feed the underprivileged. Additionally, it is disrespectful to give them leftovers. Food aid from charities can depoliticize hunger by reducing the demand on the government to address its underlying causes. Furthermore, because it depends on private donations and surplus from supermarkets and other food producers, it is unable to offer a consistently nutritious diet.

Sustainable

Development Goal 12

Sustainable Development Goal 12 aims to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns, reducing harm to the planet. It includes implementing the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, achieving sustainable management of natural resources, halving per capita global food waste, and reducing food losses along production and supply chains. Food waste generates 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, uses land and water resources, and increases biodiversity pressure. SDG 12 aims to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030 and encourages preventing food waste generation. Addressing and reducing food waste is crucial for achieving SDG 12 and promoting sustainable consumption and production, which is the core of SDG 12.

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Reference

APA

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