Best Practice Food Waste Management Guide by Skippy
In a recent survey published by Britain’s biggest supermarket Tesco, it was revealed that a staggering two thirds of food products go to waste. In the latest figures, it was found that 68% of all bagged salads produced in the UK are never consumed, 40% of apples are never eaten and nearly 50% of all bakery products end up in the bin.
Managing Food Waste For A Sustainable Future
It is estimated that every year in the UK we waste 7.2 million tonnes of food, costing households £2.5 billion. The results of a number of pre and post consumer factors, these food waste figures reflect poorly on both the public and retailer.
Last month it was reported by Global Food Security that up to 40% of farmer’s crops were wasted as they never made it to store. As supermarkets insist on certain demanding standards and overproduction in the case of a bad harvest, there is little room for adjustment in the current system. Whilst standards for fresh produce have been set by Defra, most of the “ugly fruit and veg” standards are set by the retailers themselves.
Between 2007 and 2010, annual food waste fell by approximately 1.1 million tonnes, showing substantial progress in an area in which we seem to have made very little. This is a great step forward for food waste management in the UK, and a sign that the food recovery/waste hierarchy can be adhered to and achieve results.
Understanding How To Manage Food Waste In Your Business
To fully understand the problems associated with sustainable food waste management, we must first establish the buying and consumption cycle. This includes:
• Food – Who we buy it from and what we buy • Solid Waste – Food and packaging • Water – Usage and emissions • Energy – Equipment and buildings • People – Outreach and social equity
Once a framework has been identified, individual aspects can be built upon in order improve food waste management in all industries. Following the waste management hierarchy, food waste can be controlled and managed to minimise or avoid waste entirely.
The efficient management of food waste is just as important as any other aspect of your waste production. A contributor to landfill, there are number of benefits to sustainably managing your food waste. These include:
• Saving Money – It you can effectively manage your food waste; you can save money on all the associated costs including, disposal, labour and energy.
• Helping the Environment – Sending waste to landfill or incineration results in an increase in carbon emissions. From food transport and storage, to disposal, all aspects of the food chain can be reduced in order to improve waste management.
• Community Engagement – By reducing your food waste and managing it in a sustainable and efficient way, you can engage with staff, visitors and the public by showing your progress in food waste reduction.
Improve Your Waste Management With Skippy
If you are looking to improve on any aspect of your waste management, talk to the team at Skippy Nationwide. Experts in waste and recycling services, they can help you to work towards a zero to landfill targets.
For more information about their services go to www.skippy.co.uk, email sales@skippy.co.uk or call Freephone 0500 401148.
About the Author
Skippy Nationwide House Stafford Park 7 Telford TF3 3BQ United Kingdom Telephone: 0500 401148
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